Voices of Singapore national beach volleyball female athletes: What is an ideal coach?

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 642-652
Author(s):  
Ee Shan Lau ◽  
Ho Jin Chung ◽  
Michael Chia Yong Hwa

A coach has a great influence on athletes’ performance and development. Communication and coaching styles that work with male athletes may not be effective in female athletes. The alignment of coaching to the preferences of female athletes is important for effective coaching and their holistic development. Therefore, it is essential to understand how female athletes perceive an ideal coach. The purpose of this research is to uncover how Singapore national beach volleyball female athletes voice about an ideal coach. Seven Singapore national beach volleyball female athletes were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The three main themes are – understanding the female athletes, being a role model with responsibility, and possessing rich experience as a coach and athlete. The three main themes that were developed from the voices of the Singapore national beach volleyball female athletes are supported by the literature on transformational coaching in terms of these components: idealized influence and individualized consideration. The findings of this research could help to establish a more comfortable, trusting and well-communicated training environment for female athletes.

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 703
Author(s):  
Xiaoyi Yang ◽  
Yuqi He ◽  
Shirui Shao ◽  
Julien S. Baker ◽  
Bíró István ◽  
...  

The chasse step is one of the most important footwork maneuvers used in table tennis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lower limb kinematic differences of table tennis athletes of different genders when using the chasse step. The 3D VICON motion analysis system was used to capture related kinematics data. The main finding of this study was that the step times for male athletes (MA) were shorter in the backward phase (BP) and significantly longer in the forward phase (FP) than for female athletes (FA) during the chasse step. Compared with FA, knee external rotation for MA was larger during the BP. MA showed a smaller knee flexion range of motion (ROM) in the BP and larger knee extension ROM in the FP. Moreover, hip flexion and adduction for MA were significantly greater than for FA. In the FP, the internal rotational velocity of the hip joint was significantly greater. MA showed larger hip internal rotation ROM in the FP but smaller hip external rotation ROM in the BP. The differences between genders can help coaches personalize their training programs and improve the performance of both male and female table tennis athletes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000896
Author(s):  
Taro Takeuchi ◽  
Yuri Kitamura ◽  
Soya Ishizuka ◽  
Sachiko Yamada ◽  
Hiroshi Aono ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo compare the mortality of Japanese athletes in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games with that of the Japanese population, and to elucidate factors associated with their mortality.MethodsWe obtained from the Japan Sport Association study subjects’ biographical information, information on lifestyles and medical data. Missing data were obtained from online databases. Standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated to compare athletes’ mortality with the Japanese population. Cox proportional hazards model was applied to estimate the HR for each category of body mass index (BMI), smoking history and handgrip strength. This analysis was limited to male athletes due to the small number of female athletes.ResultsAmong 342 (283 men, 59 women) athletes, deaths were confirmed for 70 (64 men, 6 women) athletes between September 1964 and December 2017. Total person years was 15 974.8, and the SMR was 0.64 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.81). Multivariate analysis performed on 181 male athletes. Mortality was significantly higher for BMI≥25 kg/m2 than for 21–23 kg/m2 (HR: 3.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 9.07). We found no statistically significant associations between smoking history and mortality; the HR (95% CI) for occasional and daily smokers were 0.82 (0.26 to 2.57) and 1.30 (0.55 to 3.03) compared with never smokers. We also found no statistically significant associations between handgrip strength and mortality (P for trend: 0.51).ConclusionJapanese athletes in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games lived longer than the Japanese population. BMI≥25 kg/m2 was associated with higher mortality, but smoking history and handgrip strength were not associated with mortality.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimmy Sanderson ◽  
Melinda Weathers ◽  
Katherine Snedaker ◽  
Kelly Gramlich

This research applied muted group theory to investigate female and male athletes’ experiences with not reporting concussions sustained during athletic competition. Using snowball-sampling techniques, a total of 365 women and 247 men completed an online open-ended questionnaire about their reasons for not reporting a concussion. Results indicated that male athletes were more likely to continue to play through and not report a concussion than female athletes. Participants also indicated that they did not report concussions due to (a) perceived lack of resources, (b) perceived lack of severity, (c) conformance to sport cultural norms, which was comprised of two subthemes: adherence to the pain principle and team allegiance. The results suggest that efforts to address concussion management in sport need to focus on the communicative and structural elements that privilege hegemonic masculinity and playing through pain, as they contribute to muting athletes in advocating for their health.


2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Bortoli ◽  
Maurizio Bertollo ◽  
Giovanni Messina ◽  
Roberto Chiariotti ◽  
Claudio Robazza

The purpose of the study was to identify effective coaching communication patterns by contrasting the augmented feedback of experienced and inexperienced coaches. Nine experienced and 9 inexperienced volleyball instructors (4 men and 5 women in each group) were videotaped while coaching 11- to 14-year-old female athletes. Analysis of the videotaped behaviors revealed that, compared to the feedback of inexperienced instructors, the feedback of experienced coaches was more specific, verbal, negatively evaluative, related to previous feedback, and provided more often during performance. From an applied perspective, our findings can be used to improve coaches' awareness – and the effectiveness – of their interactive skills.


2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-55
Author(s):  
Lori Rittenhouse-Wollmuth ◽  
Cindra S. Kamphoff ◽  
Jon Lim

Historically, the world of sport is considered a masculine domain characterized by power, aggression, and physical contact (Hall, 1996). The exclusionary elements of the male culture of sport have created gender inequities in participation (Birrell & Theberge, 1994), and a gendered perception of male and female coaches (Frankl & Babitt, 1998; Weinberg, Reveles, & Jackson, 1984). The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of male and female collegiate athletes of a hypothetical male and female coach, and to determine if female coaches are more accepted compared to Weinberg et al.’s study investigating male and female athletes’ perceptions of a hypothetical coach. The Attitudinal Questionnaire (Weinberg, Reveles, & Jackson, 1984) was utilized to determine athletes’ attitudes about a hypothetical coach. A 2 × 2 MANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the gender of a hypothetical head coach and the gender of an athlete, and a significant main effect for gender. Univariate ANOVA results indicate that males and females differed in their attitudes and perceptions of both a hypothetical male and female head coach. The female athletes, compared to male athletes, were more likely to be accepting of coaches regardless of the coaches’ gender. Furthermore, male athletes were less accepting of female coaches. In addition, when comparing the means of the current study to Weinberg et al.’s (1984) study, results indicate that female coaches were not more accepted than in 1984.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junqiang Qiu ◽  
Mingxing Li ◽  
Longyan Yi ◽  
Zhaoran Hou ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
...  

Objective Training monitoring has become an integral component of total athlete training. Systematically monitoring the physiological and biochemical variables related to performance helps coaches and athletes to measure the effectiveness of their training programs and decide how to revise or update those programs, especially in swimming training. The key purpose of this study is to evaluate the physical function characteristics during preparation season and stress response during competition training sessions in 2017, and provides the helpful data for scientific training for the implementation of the preparation process. Methods During the preparation period, the National Swimming Team athletes were planed to screen and test the physical function characteristics. There are 39 male athletes and 37 female athletes to participate in the study. Body composition was assessed with dual energy X-ray (DXA). Anthropometric characteristics were assessed using Anthroscan 3D VITUS body scanner, and pulmonary function test using CHEST portable lung function meter(HI-101). During the competition period, the training load monitoring targets were 2 elite players who participated in XVII World Aquatics Championship in Budapest-2017 and the National Games 2017. The monitoring methods mainly included: blood tests (including Hb, CK, BU, testosterone, cortisol and ferritin etc.) were used to monitor the athlete's fitness functional status, and the Z-score method was used to express the index changes of two athletes; blood lactate was used to monitor the training load of athletes, and urine indexes were used to monitor body fluid balance and fatigue. Results 1. During the preparation period, the weight of male athletes is 78.4±8.2kg, the percentage of body fat is 15.9±2.8%, the weight of female athletes is 64.8±6.6kg, and the percentage of body fat is 24.2±3.5%. The vital capacity(VC) was 6.65±0.87 L for males and 4.86±0.69 L for females, the value of forced vital capacity(FVC) was 4.29±1.33 L for males and 3.43±0.96 L for females, and the mean value of ventilation per minute was 148.1±23.12 L for males and 110.4 ± 19.67 L for females. 2. During the competition preparation period, Z score was used to express the blood indicators of two athletes, before the XVII World Aquatics Championship in Budapest-2017, the Z score of Hb, T, T/C ratio and ferritin were (-0.5, 0, -0.4, 1.1) and (-0.8, -0.1, -1.0, 0), respectively. Before the competition of the National Games, the Z scores were (1.0, 0.3, 0.7, 0.6) and (1.4, 1.0, 0.1, -0.6) respectively. 3. Training load monitoring was carried out using the blood lactate control test, as the training load increased, the athletes' performance improved and the lactate level increased slightly. 4. The urine indicator test is used to observe the athlete's dehydration and recovery. On the second morning after the intensive training day, both athletes were negative for urine protein and with normal urine specific gravity. Conclusions 1. The screen and tests about the physical function characteristics of swimming athletes during preparation period is useful to develop a personalized training plan; 2. Z-score is easy and feasible for the elite swimmers to monitoring physical fitness capabilities, and higher Z-score is related with better athletic performance; 3. Blood lactate control test can be used for the training intensity monitoring of swimmers, athletes show higher levels of lactic acid metabolism and higher athletic performance before the competition.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 1711
Author(s):  
Bilal Demirhan ◽  
Dciparkul Abdırahmanova ◽  
Kanat Canuzakov ◽  
Serdar Geri

In this study, some respiratory functions of athletes from four different sport branches who constitute Kyrgyzstan National Team have been examined. To research, 9 Greco-Roman style wrestlers (24±4,5years), 10 freestyle wrestlers (22,10±3,21 years), 8 judoists (23,6±1,89 years), 8 male athletes (22,29±2.87 years) and 3 female athletes (21.67±2.08 years) totally 35 male and 3 female national athletes have been included. Forced vital capacities (FVC), forced ventilation volumes (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) which connected the respiratory levels of the athletes have been measured in preparation stage before 2016 Summer Olympic Games. By being performed istatistical evaluation by SPSS 21.0, it was usedthe computer package program. “One Way ANOVA” test an identifying the differences between the groups and the differences at (P<0,05) level have been accepted as significant. FVC values taken from Judoists were similar to those of male athletes (p>0,05) and significantly higher than other branches (p<0,05). FVC levels of wrestling and athletic athletes reflected similar results (p>0,05). When PEF levels examined, the results of judo and male athletes have been found statistically similar (p>0,05). PEF scores of Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling and female athletes have not been found statistically different (p>0,05). FEV1 results of the judoists have been found similar to those of the Greco-Roman style wrestlers (p>0,05) while these results have been found significantly higher than the results of freestyle wrestling and athletic athletes (p<0,05). As a result, Judo athletes' FVC, PEF and FEV1 levels have been found better than other branches involved in the study.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 502
Author(s):  
Merve Ceylan ◽  
Ersin Altıparmak ◽  
Fahri Akçakoyun

<p> The present study was conducted for the purpose of examining the personality traits of extreme athletes. In line with this purpose a total of 227 extreme athletes, as 86 female and 141 male athletes selected through judgment sampling, that either actively compete or trains to compete in any of the branches of snowboarding, snowkiting, kitesurfing, windsurfing, river kayaking, mountain biking, free diving, paragliding and rafting were included within the sample group of the study. Questionnaire applications were carried out in extreme sports facilities throughout the country.</p><p>Within the scope of the study, an 85-item short form of the Five Factor Personality Scale developed by Somer, Korkmaz and Tatar was used as the data collection tool. Data analysis was carried out by means of the SPSS 16.0 software and the percentages frequencies, mean, standard deviation and to find the differences between the sexes "independent t" test were calculated.</p><p>Examining the obtained results showed that the male athletes have higher extravertion level from female athletes (p &lt;0.05). This finding obtained in our study suggest that, in an essentially male-dominant society, the higher level of pressure women are subjected to in social, economic, cultural and psychological terms and the difficulties and pressure they experience in the working life are significant factors for women to be more introvert.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Özet</strong></p><p>Bu araştırma, ekstrem sporcuların kişilik özelliklerinin incelemesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda araştırmaya, yargısal örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilmiş, snowboard, snowkite, uçurtma sörfü, rüzgar sörfü, akarsu ve nehir kanosu, dağ bisikleti, serbest dalış, yamaç paraşütü, kaya tırmanışı ve rafting branşlarında yarışmacı olan ya da bir yarışmaya katılmak için hazırlık yapan, 86’sı kadın, 141’i erkek olmak üzere 227 ekstrem sporcu katılmıştır.  Anket uygulamaları, ülke genelinde bulunan ekstrem spor tesislerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir.</p><p> Araştırmada veri toplamak amacıyla Somer, Korkmaz ve Tatar tarafından geliştirilen beş faktör kişilik envanterinin 85 sorudan oluşan kısa forumu kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler SPSS programında kaydedilmiş, frekans, yüzde, aritmetik ortalama, standart sapma değerleri hesaplanmış ve cinsiyetler arası farklılığı bulmak için “independent samples t- test” kullanılarak yorumlanmıştır.</p><p>Elde edilen bulgular incelendiğinde, erkek sporcuların erkek sporcuların kadın sporculara oranla daha yüksek dışa dönük özellik gösterdiği görülmektedir (p &lt;0.05). Sonuç olarak; temelde erkek egemen bir toplumda, sosyal, ekonomik, kültürel ve psikolojik anlamda kadının daha çok baskıya maruz kalması, sosyal hayatında üstelendiği roller, iş hayatında karşılaşılan zorluk ve baskıların bir sonucu olarak, daha içe kapanık bir yapıya sahip olmalarında önemli bir etken olduğunu düşündürmektedir.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 3202-3205
Author(s):  
Kadir Diler ◽  
Gamze Erikoğlu Örer

Background: Caffeine consumption may adversely affect the performance of athletes in some sports. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine drink consumed before competitions by air pistol athletes on their heart rate, trigger squeeze times and shooting scores. Methods: : In the study, caffeinated and caffeine-free measurements were applied on the same athletes. Following the evaluation, a total of 20 elite athletes, including 10 women with a mean age of 23.6±4.7 and 10 men with a mean age of 25.9±4.8 who had at least 2 years sports history, participated voluntarily in the study. The study was planned as a single blind. All athletes shot 10 times before both measurements. By random method, the athletes consumed Coffee with 3mg/kg caffeine or decaf coffee before the measurement. After 1 week, the same athletes were given coffee which was not given in the previous measurement before the measurement. A total of 80 shots were fired at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after both measurements. Following the evaluation, heart rates, trigger squeeze times and shooting scores of the athletes were recorded. Wilcoxon test to compare the differences between the measurements at two different times on the same group and Mann-Whitney U test to examine the differences in independent groups were used. Results: When the differences between the measurements of all male and female athletes were examined, it was found that there was an increase in their heart rate and trigger squeeze times 15, 30 and 60 minutes after caffeinated coffee consumption, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Besides there was a significant decrease in 15, 30 and 60 minute shooting scores of female athletes, and 15 and 30 minute shooting scores of male athletes (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was observed that the use of caffeine had a negative effect on the performance of air pistol athletes. Therefore, it can be said that people interested in air pistol discipline should not consume coffee or caffeine-containing beverages within 1-2 hours before the competition, if they consume, their heart rate will increase and their aiming during shooting will be more difficult and trigger-squeezing times will be extended. Keywords: Air pistol, Caffeine, Heart rate, Shooting


2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110438
Author(s):  
Rachel K. Straub ◽  
Francesco Della Villa ◽  
Bert Mandelbaum ◽  
Christopher M. Powers

Background: After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), diminished quadriceps strength symmetry and reduced psychological readiness to return to play (RTP) increase the risk for subsequent injury. Although the relationship between quadriceps strength symmetry and psychological readiness to RTP has been reported to be influenced by injury mechanism in female athletes, it is unclear whether such a relationship exists in male athletes. Hypothesis: Quadriceps strength symmetry would be positively associated with greater psychological readiness to RTP after ACLR, regardless of injury mechanism. Study Design: Retrospective cohort. Level of Evidence: Level 3 (cohort study). Methods: Sixty male patients completed strength testing and the Injury-Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport Scale (I-PRRS) at an outpatient clinical facility as part of return to sport testing after ACLR. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the I-PRRS and the independent variables of interest (quadriceps strength symmetry and injury mechanism). Results: For all patients combined, no symmetry × mechanism interaction was found ( P = 0.11). A significant positive relationship was found between quadriceps strength symmetry and the I-PRRS score ( P < 0.001, R2 = 0.31), after adjusting for time post-ACLR and injury mechanism. Conclusion: Greater quadriceps strength symmetry was associated with greater psychological readiness to RTP after ACLR in male athletes. In contrast to what has been reported in female athletes, this relationship was independent of injury mechanism. Clinical Relevance: Given the potential negative consequences of quadriceps strength deficits on one’s confidence to RTP, the need to restore quadriceps symmetry during the postoperative period is readily apparent. Low confidence or low psychological readiness to RTP may be indicative of quadriceps strength asymmetry or poor physical function in general.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document