Reactive stress tolerance in elite athletes: Differences in gender, sport type, and competitive level

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-202
Author(s):  
Nathanael C.H. Ong ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
Andrea Lenténé Puskás

Athletes in higher education are not only expected to produce high level performance but to find the balance between the preparation for post-athletic life and the requirements of the university. The objective of this study is to explore the connections between academic performance and level of sport. Also, to elaborate on the role of relevant policy regulations and institutional support that help elite athletes meet academic requirements. Data collection was conducted by means of online questionnaires involving athletes receiving sport scholarships at the University of Debrecen (N=159). The data from questionnaires were processed by using SPSS 18. Version software. For data analyse four groups were extracted based on level of sport performance and involvement: international elite, division I, division II, division III. The results indicate that the academic performance on the two international elite of sport did not differ from the average, and that these athletes did not experience any difficulties earning course credits at the university while being engaged in doing sport. In most cases, elite athletes did not apply for the various kind of support instruments, thus, they are able to balance athletic preparation and academic requirements without supportive modifications of university policies. The results also shed light on the fact that the academic performance does not only depend on the level of sport and the chosen major at the university, but it is also influenced by the time devoted to study and training, and the sport type (individual or team sport). There are differences observed between athletes participating in individual or team sport concerning the general average of grades, the effectiveness of earning credits, the number of weekly training, as well as the time devoted to training in preparatory and competitive periods. According to the results, the various amount of time devoted to study or sport does not necessarily result in academic performance decline. In addition, results support that athletes do keep academic studies rather important and they are aware that university years are considered to be a significant period in preparation for post-athletic life. JEL code: Z20


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celina Kacperski ◽  
Roberto Ulloa ◽  
Craig Hall

The purpose of this article is to illustrate data transformation in a mixed methods research phenomenological study, investigating how athletes use concrete and abstract spontaneous imagery in and around competition. To achieve this, we combined the application of co-occurring codes and numerical transformation in a novel way. A thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with 12 elite athletes identified concrete imagery to focus on strategy generation, error correction, technique, and preparation, and abstract imagery to focus on desirability, symbolic and verbal representations, and regulation of affect, arousal, and mastery. Statistical analysis identified that subjective effectiveness of imagery significantly differed for sport type (reactive/static) and competition times. Researchers wishing to apply statistical analyses to qualitative data are encouraged to employ our methodology.


2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kari Fasting ◽  
Celia Brackenridge ◽  
Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen

Medicina ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Ginevičienė ◽  
Aidas Pranculis ◽  
Audronė Jakaitienė ◽  
Kazys Milašius ◽  
Vaidutis Kučinskas

Background and Objective. Based on the results of many studies, the angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) and the α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) genes are considered strong candidate genes associated with human physical performance. On the other hand, the data regarding the association of the ACE I/D and ACTN3 R/X polymorphisms with human physical performance in different populations have been conflicting. The objective of our research was to evaluate the significance of these genetic variants on muscle performance phenotype in Lithuanian athletes. Material and Methods. The study involved 193 Lithuanian elite athletes and 250 controls from the general Lithuanian population. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and/ or restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Anthropometric measurements and muscle strength (grip strength and vertical jump) were measured. Results. It was determined that ACE I/I and I/D genotypes were more frequent in the athlete group compared with the general Lithuanian population. The results of grip strength and vertical jum p were better in the athletes with the ACE I/I and ACTN3 X/X genotype compared with the athletes with ACE D/D and ACTN3 R/R, respectively. Conclusions. The ACE I and ACTN3 X alleles determine speed and power for Lithuanian athletes. In line with other researchers, it can be confirmed that the absence of a functional ACTN3 in fast-twitch muscle fibers is compensated. Lithuanian athletes who are carriers of the ACE I/I and I/D as well as ACTN3 X/X and R/X genotypes have the potential to achieve better results in power-requiring sports; therefore, the analyzed polymorphisms of these genes might be used as the criteria for the sport type selection.


2011 ◽  
Vol 355 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 273-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejan Cubrilo ◽  
Dusica Djordjevic ◽  
Vladimir Zivkovic ◽  
Dragan Djuric ◽  
Dusko Blagojevic ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000801
Author(s):  
Yannis Karrer ◽  
Robin Halioua ◽  
Sonja Mötteli ◽  
Samuel Iff ◽  
Erich Seifritz ◽  
...  

BackgroundEating disorders (ED) and disordered eating (DE) among male elite athletes share some of the characteristics seen in female elite athletes and the population, but also exhibit some key differences.ObjectiveScoping review of ED and DE in male elite athletes.MethodsIn May 2020, a comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted for DE and ED in male elite athletes.ResultsWe identified 80 studies which included 47 uncontrolled, 14 controlled studies, one interventional trial and 18 reviews.DiscussionThere was a wide range of definitions of DE and a high level of heterogeneity regarding competitive level, age and sport type. In adult male elite athletes, ED prevalence rates up to 32.5% were found, higher than in the general population. Prevalence was not higher in young/adolescent male elite athletes. The most frequently associated factor was competing in weight-sensitive sports. Male elite athletes tended to exhibit less body dissatisfaction than controls and were not always associated with DE. There were no studies looking at the prognosis or reporting an evidence-based approach for the management of DE in male elite athletes.ConclusionExisting literature indicates high prevalence of DE and ED in male elite athletes, with a wide range of aetiopathogenesis. There is a need for longitudinal studies to characterise the pathology and long-term outcomes, as well as develop standardised tools for assessment and treatments.


2021 ◽  
Vol Supplement 1 (13) ◽  
pp. 9-17
Author(s):  
ALEKSANDRA BUDZISZ ◽  
KRZYSZTOF SAS-NOWOSIELSKI

Background: This study aimed to analyze factors differentiating body appreciation among Polish elite athletes. Material and Methods: Participants were athletes, both men and women (N=408), who completed questionnaire BAS-2. Results: In general, men had a better perception of their body than women (p<0.01). Higher appreciation of the body was visible among women sprinters, opposite to volleyball players (p <0.03). Indirect competition for women was connected to higher body appreciation (p<0.05). Gender and individual/team sport also significantly differentiated appreciation of the body (p<0.02). Furthermore, training frequency in a week differentiated body appreciation (p<0.03), as well as characteristic of sports performance [indoor sports, and higher in water sports (p<0.02)]. Conclusions: Results suggest that not only the common category of the sport type – aesthetic, technical, strength – differentiates the body image. Equally important for differences in body appreciation is also gender, sport discipline, and background of sport training: frequency per week, the character of competition (direct-indirect), individual/non-individual competition, or characteristic of sports performance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 406.2-406
Author(s):  
Victor Wang ◽  
Frank Mayer ◽  
Yi-Hsiong Hang
Keyword(s):  

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