Efficacy of Electromyographic Biofeedback in Muscle Recovery after Meniscectomy in Soccer Players

Electromyographic biofeedback (EMG-BF) is a therapeutic technique that has been used successfully in the rehabilitation of injuries. Although it has been applied to athletes, its use in this field is not very widespread. The objective of this study is to analyze its effectiveness in the recovery of electromyographic activity of the quadriceps after meniscectomy, evaluated through isometric contraction of the vastus lateralis. The sample comprised ten professional footballers in the Spanish League (2nd Division A) who had previously suffered a meniscus injury in their knee and had undergone a meniscectomy. The intervention consisted of EMG-BF treatment lasting between 6 and 10 sessions. The electromyographic signal was recorded using a Thought Technology ProComp Infiniti 8-channel biofeedback unit with a sampling rate of 2048 samples/second. For each session, a within-subject ABA design of 6 or 10 trials per session was used, with three pre- and three post-measures, which determined the gain for each session. The results indicated (1) improvements in all cases, (2) EMG-BF was effective, (3) the working model was statistically significant with an explained variance of between 67% and 75%, and (4) the generalizability analysis showed that the results are reliable and generalizable. The results indicate that EMG-BF is effective in neuromuscular rehabilitation after this type of interventionThis research received no external funding. Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga

Influencia de la autoestima en las relaciones entre el liderazgo transformacional con la satisfacción en la Educación Física escolar y la autoeficacia motriz

Esta investigación pretende determinar las asociaciones entre liderazgo transformacional del profesor con la satisfacción o el aburrimiento en las clases de Educación Física, en la etapa de secundaria, y con su percepción de autoeficacia motriz, analizando la influencia de la autoestima en estas relaciones. El diseño de esta investigación sigue una estrategia asociativa y explicativa, mediante el uso de un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales. Para recoger la información se utilizaron el Cuestionario de Enseñanza Transformacional (TTQ), el cuestionario de Satisfacción Intrínseca en el Deporte adaptado a la Educación Física (SSI-EF), el Cuestionario de Autoestima de Rosenberg y la Escala de Autoeficacia Motriz (EAM). La muestra estuvo compuesta por 476 adolescentes (50.84% género femenino) de la provincia de Jaén que cursaban entre 2º y 4º de ESO, con edades entre los 13 y 17 años (M= 14.56; DT= 1.12). Se ha observado una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el liderazgo transformacional con la satisfacción y el aburrimiento en Educación Física, así como con la autoeficacia motriz. Además, se ha puesto de relieve la influencia de la autoestima en las relaciones entre dichas variables.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ): Psychometric Properties in Its Digital Version

The Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire’s (TEOSQ’s) psychometric properties have been explored in previous studies but never in its digital version, which facilitates data collection. The objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the online TEOSQ by MenPas 1.0. The sample was composed of 2320 users (58.4% women; 41.6% men), between 18 and 65 years old (M = 25.27, SD = 7.39). The methods used were Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and invariance analysis from the original 13-item model. The CFA was corrected for all samples (CFI = 0.92–0.94, TLI = 0.93–0.95, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.06; df = 64; Bollen-Stine Bootstrap p = 0.02–0.07): general sample (χ2 = 720.72, χ2/df = 11.26), women (χ2 = 496.85, χ2/df = 7.76), men (χ2 = 321.67, χ2/df = 5.03), individual sports (χ2 = 525.26, χ2/df = 8.21), and team sports (χ2 = 306.01, χ2/df = 4.78). The results also indicate optimal adjustments for invariance: convergent, discriminant and composite reliability validity. The study evidence demonstrates the adequate psychometric properties of the digital version. To conclude, considering the results obtained, the model shows a good psychometric fit for the sample in its online format. The principal limitations were computer failures, as well as that the large part of the sample were users between 20 and 25 years old, so the heterogeneity should be improved. The practical implications of this study could improve the efficacy of data collection in sports motivation using the online TEOSQThis research received no external funding. Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Testing the Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2): Online Assessment

Athletes’ perception of competence and success can be influenced by the motivational climate created by the coach. The Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2) assesses this. Although its reliability and validity have been analyzed in previous studies, this has never been done for the online version. This type of evaluation can be beneficial for data collection, sustainability, speed, and generating larger samples. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the PMCSQ-2 in its online version. The sample consisted of 1637 participants (37.8% men and 62.2% women) from 18 to 68 years of age (M = 24.39, SD = 6.51) who practiced physical-sport activities regularly. A second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model and its invariance for gender were studied from a 24-item version obtained from the MenPas 1.0 platform. The analyses provided an adequate fit for the CFA (CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.07, df = 224, B-S p = 0.02–0.07) when an alternative model was realized (χ2 = 1858.89, χ2/df = 8.30), as they also did for the women (χ2 = 1356.90, χ2/df = 6.06), men (χ2 = 883.58, χ2/df = 3.95) individual sports (χ2 = 1153.55, χ2/df = 5.15), and team sports (χ2 = 1008.92, χ2/df = 4.05) items. The data were also suitable for invariance analysis. Similarly, appropriate values were obtained for convergent and discriminant validity and for composite reliability. Therefore, the results obtained show appropriate psychometric properties for the online version of the PMCSQ-2 using an alternative model, suggesting that its use is suitable for research and showing the importance of the subscales.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Perceived Motivational Climate Determines Self-Confidence and Precompetitive Anxiety in Young Soccer Players: Analysis by Gender

The main objective of this study was to analyze whether the perception of the motivational climate in young soccer players determines the level of competitive anxiety and self-confidence. In addition, the results were explored according to gender, in order to observe if there were differences between the female and male categories. A total of 113 cadet and youth soccer players from six soccer teams in the provinces of Malaga and Granada, aged between 14 and 19 years, who competed in regional leagues, participated in the study. Of these, 50 were female and 63 were male. The Competitive Sport Anxiety (CSAI-2), Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2), and Self-Confidence in Sport Competition Questionnaire (CACD) were used to collect the information. Correlation, linear regression and cluster analyses were performed. The data analyses carried out affirmed the relationship between the study variables, observing that the perception of ego climate was positively related to cognitive anxiety (p < 0.05) and insecurity (p < 0.01), and inversely to self-confidence (p < 0.05). By gender, boys showed a higher perception of an ego-oriented (p < 0.001) and lower perception of a task-oriented climate (p < 0.05) than girls. However, girls showed a greater intensity in the relationships related to ego climate and lower scores in self-confidence (p < 0.01), as well as higher scores in insecurity (p < 0.001). The results have shown positive relationships between self-confidence and a task-oriented climate, as well as negative ones with an ego-oriented climate. It is also observed that ego orientation generates more insecurity and anxiety, which is more evident in girls.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Mála

Satisfied and Frustrated Needs, Subjective Vitality and University Students’ Life Satisfaction of Physical Activity and Sports

This study is based on frameworks of the eudaimonic activity model and the basic psychological needs theory, with two purposes: one, to prove the validity of a translation and adaptation of the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale; two, to analyze how the basic psychological satisfaction and frustration needs influences the well-being of university physical activity and sports students, through sex. A total of 830 University students of physical activity and sports with an age between 17 and 31 years (M = 20.70 years; ±2.96) participated. The sample was divided into two subsamples by random selection of 50% of the cases, preserving the relative distribution of sex and age. The first subsample was used to validate the adaptation of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale to Spanish as spoken in Mexico (Study 1); and the second subsample was used to test a proposed sequential theoretical model (Study 2). In Study 1, the CFA supported the structure of six factors—satisfaction of needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence; frustration of needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence (RMSR = 0.04; RMSEA = 0.046; TLI = 0.93; CFI = 0.94)—as well as the structure of six first-order factors plus two second-order factors—psychological need satisfaction and psychological need frustration (RMSR = 0.05; RMSEA = 0.055; TLI; CFI = 0.91). Both structures were equivalent between men and women. In Study 2, the results of the structural equations model show good fit (RMSEA = 0.05; TLI = 0.90; CFI = 0.92), indicating that the needs satisfied and frustrated contribute in a unique way to indicators of eudaimonic well-being (i.e., subjective vitality) and subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction), being equivalent through sex. In conclusion, satisfaction of competence, relationships and autonomy are essential nutrients for a positive performance in this sample.This research was funded by Universidad Autónoma de Baja California grant number [2022]

Effects of Physical Exercise on Executive Function in Adults with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol

Physical exercise is a low-cost and easy-to-implement therapeutic option proposed to reduce the negative effect of depression on the executive function cognitive dimension, including working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility. Although a considerable amount of scientific literature on the topic is currently available, the effects of physical exercise interventions on the executive functions in adults with depression remain unclear. The aim of this review protocol is to synthesize the effects of physical exercise interventions on executive functions in adults with depression. Databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO will be searched for studies by combining keywords and different medical subject headings to identify and evaluate the relevant studies from inception up to September 2022. This study will consider longitudinal studies (duration, ≥3 weeks) with a minimum of one experimental group and pre- and post-intervention measurements involving adults with depression aged 18–65 years. Studies will be included if these reported ≥1 measures of executive function, including dimensions of working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale will be used to assess the methodological quality of studies. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model will be used for meta-analyses, with effect size (ES, i.e., Hedges’ g) values reported with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and p ≤ 0.05 will indicate statistical significance. The ES values will be calculated for working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility in the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention program. (...)Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

How Does the Level of Physical Activity Influence Eating Behavior? A Self-Determination Theory Approach

Physical activity and diet are two predominant determinants of population health status that may influence each other. Physical activity has been identified as a behavior that may lead to a healthier diet and regulates eating behaviors. This research aimed to investigate how the level of physical activity is associated with the motivation related to eating behaviors and, consequently, the eating style individuals have on a daily basis. This was a cross-sectional study in which participants completed an online questionnaire that assessed the following variables: the level of physical activity, the motivation toward eating behavior, and the type of eating behavior. In total, 440 individuals (180 men and 260 women) who regularly exercised in gyms and fitness centers aged between 19 and 64 years (M = 33.84; SD = 10.09) took part in the study. The data were collected following the Declaration of Helsinki and with the approval of the Ethics Committee of the Polytechnic of Leiria. For the statistical analysis, mean and standard deviations were first calculated, as well as bivariate correlations between all the variables of interest. Then, structural equation model analyses were performed considering the levels of physical activity as the independent variable, motivations toward eating behavior as the mediators, and eating styles as the dependent variables. It was concluded that a greater level of physical activity leads to a more self-determined type of eating regulation, which in turn results in less constricted eating behaviors that are influenced by external factors and emotional factors.This research was funded by national funds through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., grant number UID/04748/2020 and grant number UID04045/2020. Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag