scholarly journals Where is victory most certain? The level of luck-based noise factor in Summer Olympic Games

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-386
Author(s):  
Gergely Csurilla ◽  
András Gyimesi ◽  
Erika Kendelényi-Gulyás ◽  
Tamás Sterbenz
Keyword(s):  
Olympic Games ◽  
Mean Squared Error ◽  
Noise Factor ◽  
Table Tennis ◽  
Olympic Athletes ◽  
Market Shares ◽  
Actual Outcome ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Individual Sports ◽  
Noise Factors

Abstract We describe a statistical approach for the measurement of the newly defined luck-based noise factor in sports. It is defined as the difference between the actual outcome and the expected outcome based on the model predictions. We raise the question whether some sports exhibit a higher level of noise-factor than others, making investments in that sport riskier. Data from 14 individual sports in six Summer Olympic Games between 1996 and 2016 were included in the analysis. Market shares are predicted by the autoregressive linear and zero-inflated beta regression models with exogenous variables, where the higher Normalized Mean Squared Error indicates a higher noise-factor. Modern pentathlon, tennis and cycling showed the highest noise-factors, whereas swimming, table tennis and athletics were the least noisy. Possible reasons are discussed in the paper. Our analysis indicates that countries with suitable resources producing leading elite Olympic athletes are predicted to achieve higher success in sports with a lower noise-factor such as swimming. In contrast, investments in noisy sports, such as e.g., modern pentathlon, are associated with a higher risk.

scholarly journals The post-Olympic Games experience: A qualitative investigation of Australian Rio Olympians

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Bennie ◽  
Courtney C. Walton ◽  
Donna O'COnnor ◽  
Lauren Fitzsimons ◽  
Thomas Hammond
Keyword(s):  
Olympic Games ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Performance Expectations ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Olympic Athletes ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Or Team ◽  
Individual Sports ◽  
Sport Organisation

Background: While research into Olympic Athletes’ career transitions and retirement has led to a deeper understanding of important factors for athletes in this context, considerably less is known about the experiences of athletes in the immediate phase following an Olympic Games. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to investigate Australian Olympic athletes’ experiences during the period of time immediately following the conclusion of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. This involved investigating specific factors that influenced athletes’ post-games realities of success, failure, and return to everyday life.Design: Qualitative-inductiveMethods: Eighteen Australian Rio Olympic Games athletes (Female N=9, Male N=9) from a variety of team and individual sports participated in semi-structured interviews that explored their post-Olympic Games experiences. Thematic analysis was used to inductively analyse the data. Results: In the period immediately following the Rio Olympic campaign, many athletes felt a sense of relief before coming to terms with a post-Olympic ‘come down’. While positive and negative transitions back to reality following the Rio Games were influenced by performance expectations, positive transitions generally occurred when athletes had made plans for the post-Games phase and received strong support from family, teammates, and sport governing bodies. Conversely, negative experiences tended to occur where funding ceased, coach-athlete relationships fell apart, or team structures were dissolved following the Olympic event. Conclusions: Overall, athletes had a variety of experiences during the post-Olympic period and as such, it is critical to consider their needs individually. The findings of this project have implications at the micro (athlete, coach) and macro (National Sport Organisation) levels that could be used to better inform the targeted development of post-Olympic programs.

Social Self-Efficacy of Adolescents Who Participate in Individual and Team Sports

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 1417-1423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeynep Dinç
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Statistical Difference ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Table Tennis ◽  
Social Self ◽  
Arithmetic Average ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Individual Sports

This study was conducted to compare different variables of social self-efficacy (SSE) as determinants for adolescents in selecting and taking part in team and individual sports. Four sporting codes were selected for study: table tennis, swimming, handball, and basketball. Participants were 100 adolescents who had played their chosen sport for an average of 5.4 years. Results showed that the difference in SSE between those playing table tennis and those playing handball was significant, as was the difference between those playing table tennis and those playing basketball, swimming and handball, swimming and basketball. No statistical difference was found in SSE between those playing table tennis and those involved in swimming, and handball and basketball. Likewise, there was no statistically significant difference between SSE scores according to gender for any of the sports. Nor was there any significant difference between the socioeconomic status (SES) of the participants according to the sport they played and the arithmetic average of their SSE scores. A negative correlation was noted (p > .05) between the sporting code and the SES of participants.

scholarly journals Magnetometer data from the GRACE satellite duo

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Mean Squared Error ◽  
Incident Angle ◽  
Magnetic Data ◽  
Grace Data ◽  
Magnetometer Data ◽  
Geophysical Investigations ◽  
Grace Satellites ◽  
Grace Satellite ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Grace Mission

AbstractThis paper describes and discusses the preprocessing and calibration of the magnetic data taken by the navigational magnetometers onboard the two GRACE satellites, with focus on the almost 10 years period from January 2008 to the end of the GRACE mission in October 2017 for which 1-Hz magnetic data are available. A calibration of the magnetic data is performed by comparing the raw magnetometer sensor readings with model magnetic vector values as provided by the CHAOS-7 geomagnetic field model for the time and position of the GRACE data. The presented approach also accounts for magnetic disturbances produced by the satellite’s magnetorquer and for temperature effects, which are parametrized by the Sun incident angle. The root-mean-squared error of the difference between the calibrated data and CHAOS-7 model values is about 10 nT, which makes the GRACE magnetometer data relevant for geophysical investigations.

The Strategic Behavior of Firms with Debt

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 1611-1636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérôme Reboul ◽  
Anna Toldrà-Simats
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Strategic Behavior ◽  
Financing Constraints ◽  
Large Firms ◽  
Market Shares ◽  
Probability Of Bankruptcy ◽  
The Difference

We empirically study the strategic behavior of levered firms in competitive and noncompetitive environments. We find that regulation induces firms to increase leverage, and this reduces their ability to compete when deregulation occurs. Large and small levered firms adopt different strategies upon deregulation. Whereas more levered small firms charge higher prices to increase margins at the expense of market shares, highly levered large firms prey on their rivals by increasing output and reducing prices to increase their market shares. The difference in their behavior is due to differences in their probability of bankruptcy and their financing constraints.

Kinematic Analysis of Olympic Hurdle Performance: Women's 100 Meters

1985 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Mann ◽  
John Herman
Keyword(s):  
Elite Athlete ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Lower Leg ◽  
The Body ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
Body Velocity ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Foot Position ◽  
Support Time ◽  
Leg Position

Selected kinematic variables in the performance of the Gold and Silver medalists and the eighth-place finisher in the women's 100-meter hurdles final at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games were investigated. Cinematographic records were obtained for all track hurdling events at the Games, with the 100-meter hurdle performers singled out for initial analysis. In this race, sagittal view filming records (100 fps) were collected at the 9th hurdle of the performance. Computer generated analysis variables included both direct performance variables (body velocity, support time, etc.) and body kinematics (upper leg position, lower leg velocity, etc.) that have previously been utilized in the analysis of elite athlete hurdlers. The difference in place finish was related to the performance variables body horizontal velocity (direct), vertical velocity (indirect), and support time (indirect). The critical body kinematics variables related to success included upper and lower leg velocity during support into and off the hurdle (direct), relative horizontal foot position (to the body) at touchdown into and off the hurdle (indirect), and relative horizontal foot velocity (to the body) at touchdown into the hurdle.

Kinematic Analysis of Olympic Sprint Performance: Men's 200 Meters

1985 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Mann ◽  
John Herman
Keyword(s):  
Elite Athlete ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Lower Leg ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Upper Arm ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
Stride Rate ◽  
Body Velocity ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Support Time

Selected kinematic variables in the performance of the Gold and Silver medalists and the eighth-place finisher in the men's 200-meter sprint final at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games were investigated. Cinematographic records were obtained for all track running events at the Games, with the 200-meter performers singled out for initial analysis. In this race, sagittal view filming records (100 fps) were collected at the middle (125-meter mark) and end (180-meter mark) of the performance. Computer-generated analysis variables included both direct performance variables (body velocity, stride rate, etc.) and upper and lower body kinematics (upper arm position, lower leg velocity, etc.) that have previously been utilized in the analysis of elite athlete sprinters. The difference in place finish was related to the performance variables body horizontal velocity (direct), stride rate (direct), and support time (indirect). The critical body kinematics variables related to success included upper leg angle at takeoff (indirect), upper leg velocity during support (direct), lower leg velocity at touchdown (direct), foot to body touchdown distance (indirect), and relative foot velocity at touchdown.

scholarly journals Evaluation of spine MRIs in athletes participating in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympic Games

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S Wasserman ◽  
Ali Guermazi ◽  
Mohamed Jarraya ◽  
Lars Engbretsen ◽  
Mohamad AbdelKader ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Acute Injury ◽  
Spinal Disease ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Olympic Athletes ◽  
High Level ◽  
Spine Mri ◽  
Spine Disease ◽  
Age And Sex

Background/aimIn high-level Olympic athletes, many spinal pathologies arise from overuse, while others are the result of acute injury. Our aim is to analyse the epidemiology of spinal pathologies detected on MRI in athletes participating in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics.MethodsIn this retrospective study, all spine MRIs performed during the 2016 Rio Games were analysed. Descriptive data from the MRIs were tabulated and analysed for disc degeneration, spinal canal and/or neural foraminal narrowing, and acute/chronic fractures. Data were analysed by sport, continent of origin, age and sex.ResultsOf 11 274 athletes participating in the Olympic games, 100 received spine MRI. Fifty-two of the 100 (52%) athletes who received cervical, thoracic and/or lumbar spine MRI showed moderate to severe spinal disease. The highest sport-specific incidence of moderate to severe spine disease was seen in aquatic diving athletes (67%, 3 per 100 divers). Weightlifting had the second highest sport-specific incidence of spine disease (67%, 1.5 per 100 weightlifters). Athletics used the most spine MRIs (31 of 107 MRIs, 29%). European athletes had more spine MRIs than all other continents combined (55 of 107 MRIs, 51%). Athletes over 30 years old had the highest rate of moderate to severe spine disease on MRI (24 of 37 athletes >30 years old, 65%).ConclusionsA high number of the world’s premier athletes demonstrated moderate to severe spine disease on MRI during the 2016 Summer Olympics, including moderate/severe degenerative disc changes with varying degrees of disc bulges and herniations.

scholarly journals “Time for Recovery” or “Utter Uncertainty”? The Postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Through the Eyes of Olympic Athletes and Coaches. A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violetta Oblinger-Peters ◽  
Björn Krenn
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Emotional Reaction ◽  
Process Data ◽  
Levels Of Abstraction ◽  
Olympic Athletes ◽  
The Postponement ◽  
The Olympic Games

The current COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire globe, including the world of high-performance sports. Accordingly, it has been widely assumed that the thereby caused postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games could have negative psychological impacts for aspirants, since they were halted abruptly in the pursuit of their Olympic endeavors and their daily lives drastically altered. Considering the sudden nature of the pandemic, few researchers, if any, have yet scrutinized the individual experience of Olympic aspirants. This qualitative study examines the subjective perceptions of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games postponement among Austrian Olympic athletes and coaches. To this end, 21 Austrian athletes (13 male, 8 female; mean age = 26.67 ± 4.93 years) and six male coaches were recruited through a criterion-based purposive sampling strategy. Five athletes had already qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 and 15 athletes were still in an ongoing qualification process. Data was collected by means of short written statements, elicited via open-format questions on an anonymous online survey platform. In order to infer meaning from the text, a qualitative content analysis with an interpretative focus was conducted inductively, which allowed for deriving alternative explanations of findings. The results support the notion that the Olympic postponement was experienced in myriad ways by affected participants. Three general themes comprised of several meaning units of different levels of abstraction were created from the text data. Many respondents experienced an immediate emotional reaction to the postponement characterized by confusion, disappointment and/or relief. Participants associated multiple consequences with the postponement, such as the prolongation of physical and psychological pressure, a lack of motivation, concerns about future performance, living and their occupational career, but also the opportunity for performance improvement and recovery. Respondents displayed various coping strategies, such as distancing themselves from sports, cognitive reframing, appealing for acceptance, and planning behavior. This study gleans first insights into the idiosyncratic experience of the Olympic Games 2020 postponement among Austrian aspirants. The findings could serve to assist sport psychologists in their applied practice by informing them about athletes’ and coaches’ needs in their Olympic preparation during the ongoing pandemic.

Breaking the Myth That Relay Swimming Is Faster Than Individual Swimming

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Skorski ◽  
Naroa Etxebarria ◽  
Kevin G. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Olympic Games ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Link Type ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Performance Times ◽  
Race Performance ◽  
Split Time ◽  
Relay Race

Purpose:To investigate if swimming performance is better in a relay race than in the corresponding individual race.Methods:The authors analyzed 166 elite male swimmers from 15 nations in the same competition (downloaded from www.swimrankings.net). Of 778 observed races, 144 were Olympic Games performances (2000, 2004, 2012), with the remaining 634 performed in national or international competitions. The races were 100-m (n = 436) and 200-m (n = 342) freestyle events. Relay performance times for the 2nd–4th swimmers were adjusted (+ 0.73 s) to allow for the “flying start.”Results:Without any adjustment, mean individual relay performances were significantly faster for the first 50 m and overall time in the 100-m events. Furthermore, the first 100 m of the 200-m relay was significantly faster (P > .001). During relays, swimmers competing in 1st position did not show any difference compared with their corresponding individual performance (P > .16). However, swimmers competing in 2nd–4th relay-team positions demonstrated significantly faster times in the 100-m (P < .001) and first half of the 200-m relays than in their individual events (P < .001, ES: 0.28–1.77). However, when finishing times for 2nd–4th relay team positions were adjusted for the flying start no differences were detected between relay and individual race performance for any event or split time (P > .17).Conclusion:Highly trained swimmers do not swim (or turn) faster in relay events than in their individual races. Relay exchange times account for the difference observed in individual vs relay performance.

Performance Factors and Strategies Favored by French Olympic Athletes

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Helene Joncheray ◽  
Fabrice Burlot ◽  
Nicolas Besombes ◽  
Sébastien Dalgalarrondo ◽  
Mathilde Desenfant
Keyword(s):  
Olympic Games ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mental Preparation ◽  
Performance Factors ◽  
Olympic Athletes ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Parallel Network ◽  
Physical Preparation ◽  
The Olympic Games

This article presents the performance factors identified by Olympic athletes and analyzes how they were prioritized and implemented during the 2012–2016 Olympiad. To address this issue, 28 semistructured interviews were conducted with French athletes who participated in the Olympic Games in 2016. The analysis shows that to achieve performance, only two factors were implemented by all the athletes: training and physical preparation. The other factors, namely, mental preparation, nutrition, and recovery care, were not implemented by all athletes. In addition, two main types of configurations have been identified: a minority of athletes (n = 4) for whom the choice of performance factors and their implementation are controlled by the coach and a majority (n = 24) who adopts secondary adjustments by relying on a parallel network.

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