Assessment of Referees in Terms of Building a Positive Climate and Responsiveness to the Health, Emotional, and Social Needs of Rugby Players in Competitive Children Sport

One of the key elements of effective sports programs that contribute to a child’s sense of joy and satisfaction in participating in sports is contact with an adult who builds a caring climate deliberately and intentionally. Referees play a special role in providing positive experiences for young athletes. The main aim of this study was to assess the quality of referee–player interactions in terms of building a positive climate during the game and the referee’s responsiveness to the health, emotional, social, and cognitive needs of young rugby players aged 6–12 years. The research was conducted among 23 referees refereeing children’s rugby matches in Poland. The structure observation method and The Referee–Players’ Interaction Assessment Scoring System tool were used in the study. Each referee was observed twice. The referee’s verbal and non-verbal communication was recorded using a GoPro Hero 8 camera and an Ejeas Fbim wireless intercom system. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to examine differences between referees’ ratings on two dimensions. The Mann-Whitney U test was employed to test the significance of differences in the mean scores of referees between groups divided by experience. The referees, in both dimensions (building positive climate and responsiveness to the players’ needs), scored on a 7-point scale, were rated at an average level of 3.22 (SD = 1.65) and 4.39 (SD = 1.67), respectively, with the responsiveness dimension rating being statistically significantly higher than the positive climate rating. The results showed that referee experience was not a determinant of the rating of the quality of referee–players’ interactions in both dimensions. From these studies, it was concluded that there is a need to complement the existing training programs for referees with the contents from the field of pedagogy and developmental psychology. This will help them build a positive climate during the game and show how to respond to children’s health, cognitive, emotional, and social needs. Furthermore, developing a referee’s pedagogical skills can improve their relationship with players, which can ultimately translate into a greater sense of job satisfaction. The formulated practical implications can also be transposed to other team sports.

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‘Ref! Could You Help Me?’—Building a Positive Climate by Referees during Floorball Competitions in Youth Sport

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph19020979 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 979

Author(s):

Wiesław Firek ◽

Katarzyna Płoszaj ◽

Paweł Gąsior ◽

Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko

Keyword(s):

Developmental Psychology ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Team Sports ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Sporting Event ◽

Observation Methods ◽

Medium Level ◽

Verbal Messages ◽

Positive Climate

In creating a positive climate in sport for children and youth, the role of adults is of key importance as their behavior and attitudes determine the experiences and multilateral development of young players. Relatively recently, the importance of the referee in creating a supportive sporting environment has begun to be emphasized. This concerns, in particular, team sports in which the referees interact with players many times and influence the course of the game. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of the referee–players’ interactions during youth floorball matches in terms of building a positive climate and responsiveness to the players’ needs. Another aim of the study was to examine whether the referee’s qualifications and players’ gender affect the quality of their interactions with the players. The study was conducted among 21 referees officiating matches for girls and boys aged 12–18. Naturalistic and structured observation methods were used in the study. The observation was conducted using a wireless intercom that allows listening to verbal messages directed to the players. Furthermore, the referee’s work was recorded using a camera. The results of the statistical tests did not show any significant differences in the assessment of referees between the groups distinguished in terms of the referees’ license and players’ gender in both examined dimensions. The observations showed that the average rating of building a positive climate by referees during a sporting event measured on a seven-point scale was ‘poor’ (2.81 pts). The referees were assessed significantly higher on the second dimension (responsiveness to the players’ needs), although an overall rating of 3.81 pts means a medium level of interaction quality. The results indicate areas in which referees can improve. They lead to the following conclusions: (i) the contents of training for floorball referees should include problems of pedagogy and developmental psychology; (ii) referees should be equipped with appropriate competencies for building a positive climate during matches and monitoring the players’ needs; (iii) referees appointed to officiate children and youth games should be characterized by appropriate predispositions.

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Dynamic Postural Stability of High-Level Athletes Specializing in Team Sports

Journal of Medical and Biological Research ◽

10.37482/2687-1491-z033 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 401-408

Author(s):

Aleksey S. Trishin ◽

◽

Elena M. Berdichevskaya ◽

Evgeniy S. Trishin ◽

Anastasiya M. Panteleeva

Keyword(s):

Postural Stability ◽

Sagittal Plane ◽

Team Sports ◽

Football Players ◽

Basketball Players ◽

Erect Posture ◽

High Level ◽

Rugby Players ◽

Dynamic Postural Stability

The production of manifold and rapidly varying movements in team sports requires maintaining an erect posture. This paper aimed to study dynamic postural stability in athletes engaged in team sports. Among the participants were high-level basketball players (n = 15), rugby players (n = 15) and football players (n = 12), as well as 30 young people not professionally involved in sports, all aged 18–21 years. Postural stability was evaluated using stability analyser Stabilan-01 (OKB Ritm, Taganrog). We utilized the Evolventa test, which simulates the real situation of tracking movements in the games, allowing us to quickly assess not only the quality of the athlete’s tracking movement, but also the reserves of maintaining the stability of erect posture. Classical and vector stabilographic characteristics of upright posture stability were analysed. To assess the quality of tracking, special game indicators were used. Athletes demonstrated a significant superiority in the accuracy of performing motor tasks and at the same time in maintaining postural stability over young men not playing sports (p ≤ 0.05). Noteworthy, basketball players had the highest tracking accuracy in the frontal and, especially, in the sagittal plane (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, basketball players kept their balance much better, surpassing rugby players and, above all, football players in most indicators in both planes (p ≤ 0.05). Thus, the effectiveness, accuracy and speed of completing tasks, as well as fewer errors in high-level athletes were combined with an automated ability, due to the stereotype formed over many years of training, to confidently maintain an upright position even in the most difficult game situations. However, when analysing postural stability, one must take into account the specifics of the sports under study, where a wide variety of ball-handling techniques is combined with competitive activity of the hands or feet.

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Positive Behavior Management: Assessment of Rugby Referees in Children Sport

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182010949 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (20) ◽

pp. 10949

Author(s):

Katarzyna Płoszaj ◽

Wiesław Firek ◽

Paweł Gąsior ◽

Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Problems ◽

Behavior Management ◽

Rugby Union ◽

Positive Behavior ◽

Rank Test ◽

Special Role ◽

Negative Behavior ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Signed Rank Test

During children’s sports competitions, the referees play a special role. The referees are expected to be able to identify behavioral problems (of players, coaches, and fans), applying specific techniques to prevent negative behavior of players. Adapting these actions to the specifics of the group or individuals is crucial in providing a safe educational environment that promotes child development. The main objective of this research was to assess the quality of referees’ interactions with players in terms of positive behavior management and proficiency during rugby matches of children aged 6–12 years. Twenty-three rugby referees officiating matches organized by the Polish Rugby Union in Poland participated in the study. The research used the Referee–Players’ Interaction Assessment Scoring System tool. Additionally, referee–player interactions were recorded with a GoPro 8 camera along with audio from a wireless intercom. The significance of differences between the ratings for each indicator was tested by chi-squared test, while a non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the mean ratings of positive behavior management and proficiency. The Mann–Whitney U-test was used to compare differences between assessments of experienced and inexperienced referees. The observations showed that referees were rated significantly higher in the proficiency dimension than in positive behavior management dimension. Nevertheless, both ratings represent an average level of quality of interactions with the players. The referee’s experience did not determine the quality of his or her interactions with the players in the specific dimensions. The following conclusion was drawn from the research: referees should be trained in the methods and techniques for managing player behavior and should act to prevent the occurrence of negative behavior, by presenting clear and understandable expectations to players before the match and using preventive measures.

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Heart Rate Recovery Changes during Competition Period in High-Level Basketball Players

Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences ◽

10.33607/bjshs.v1i80.334 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (80) ◽

Author(s):

Audrius Gocentas ◽

Anatoli Landõr ◽

Aleksandras Kriščiūnas

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Recovery ◽

Team Sports ◽

Basketball Players ◽

Coeffi Cients ◽

Competition Period ◽

Monitoring Training ◽

Intense Training ◽

High Level

Research background and hypothesis. Replete schedule of competitions and intense training are features of contemporary team sports. Athletes, especially the most involved ones, may not have enough time to recover. As a consequence, aggregated fatigue can manifest in some undesirable form and affect athlete’s performance and health.Research aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in heart rate recovery (HRR) and investigate possible relations with sport-speciﬁ c measures of efﬁ cacy in professional basketball players during competition season.Research methods. Eight male high-level basketball players (mean ± SD, body mass, 97.3 ± 11.33 kg; height 2.02 ± 0.067 m, and age 23 ± 3.12 years) were investigated. The same basketball speciﬁ c exercise was replicated several times from September till April during the practice sessions in order to assess the personal trends of HRR. Heart rate monitoring was performed using POLAR TEAM SYSTEM. Investigated athletes were ranked retrospectively according to the total amount of minutes played and the coefﬁ cients of efﬁ cacy. Research results. There were signiﬁ cant differences in the trends of HRR between the investigated players. The most effective players showed decreasing trends of HRR in all cases of ranking.Discussion and conclusions. Research ﬁ ndings have shown that the quality of heart rate recovery differs between basketball players of the same team and could be associated with sport-speciﬁ c efﬁ cacy and competition playing time.Keywords: adaptation, autonomic control, monitoring training.

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Self Management Menentukan Kualitas Hidup Pasien Diabetes Mellitus

Jurnal Endurance ◽

10.22216/jen.v4i2.4026 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 402

Author(s):

Iskim Luthfa ◽

Nurul Fadhilah

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Correlation Study ◽

Self Management ◽

Rank Test ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Spearman Rank ◽

Consecutive Sampling

People with diabetes mellitus are at risk of developing complications, so that it affects the quality of life. These complications can be minimized through self-care management. This study aims to determine the relationship between self management with the quality of life for people with diabetes mellitus. This research is a kind of quantitative research with correlation study. This research used cross sectional design. The sampling technique uses non probability with estimation consecutive sampling. The number of respondents in this research are 118 respondents. Instrument for measuring self management used diabetes self management questionnaire (DSMQ), and instruments to measure quality of life used quality of life WHOQOL-BREEF. The data obtained were processed statistically by using spearman rank test formula and p value of 0,000 There is a significant relationship of self management with the quality of life of people with diabetes mellitus. Penderita Diabetes mellitus beresiko mengalami komplikasi yang dapat mempengaruhi kualitas hidupnya. Komplikasi tersebut dapat diminimalkan melalui manajemen perawatan diri (self management). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan self management dengan kualitas hidup pasien diabetes melitus. Jenis penelitian ini adalah deskriptif korelasi dengan desain cross sectional. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan non probability sampling dengan pendekatan consecutive sampling. Jumlah sampel sebanyak 118 responden. Instrumen penelitian untuk mengukur self management menggunakan diabetes self management questionnaire (DSMQ), dan instrumen untuk mengukur kualitas hidup menggunakan quality of life WHOQOL-BREEF. Analisis data menggunakan spearman rank dan didapatkan hasil nilai p value 0,000 dan r 0,394.Terdapat hubungan antara self management dengan kualitas hidup pasien diabetes mellitus dengan arah korelasi positif.

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A Consumer Behavior-Influenced Multidisciplinary Transcendent Model of Motivation for Music Making

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190244705.013.21 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Valerie L. Vaccaro

Keyword(s):

Consumer Behavior ◽

Music Education ◽

Well Being ◽

Social Needs ◽

Self Identity ◽

Music Making ◽

Self Actualization ◽

Psychic Energy ◽

Self Transcendence

This chapter reviews multidisciplinary research from the fields of consumer behavior, humanistic and positive psychology, music education, and other areas to develop a new Transcendent Model of Motivation for Music Making. One’s “extended self” identity can be defined partly by possessions and mastery over objects, and objects can “complete” the self. Music making involves a person’s investment of “psychic energy,” including attention, time, learning, and efforts, and is a creative path which can lead to peak experiences and flow. Music making can help satisfy social needs, achieve self-actualization, experience self-transcendence, enhance well-being, strengthen spirituality, and improve the quality of life.

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Quality of life in Hungarian polio survivors

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1007/s10389-020-01459-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Erika Viktória Miszory ◽

Melinda Járomi ◽

Annamária Pakai

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Sample Selection ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Emotional Role ◽

The Difference ◽

Polio Survivors

Abstract Aim The number of Hungarian polio patients can be estimated at approximately 3000. Polio infection is currently affecting people 56–65 years of age. The aim of the study was to reveal the quality of life of patients living with polio virus in Hungary. Subject and methods The quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in January–April 2017 among polyomyelitis patients living in Hungary. In the non-random, targeted, expert sample selection, the target group was composed of patients infected with poliovirus (N = 268). We have excluded those who refused to sign the consent statement. Our data collection method was an SF-36 questionnaire. Using the IBM SPSS Statistics Version 22 program, descriptive and mathematical statistics (χ2-test) were calculated (p < 0.05). Results The mean age of the members of the examined population is 63.5 years; 68.1% were women and 31.90% were men. The majority of the respondents were infected by the polyovirus in 1956 (11.9%), 1957 (24.3%), and 1959 (19.5%). Polio patients, with the exception of two dimensions (mental health, social operation), on the scale of 100 do not reach the “average” quality of life (physical functioning 23 points, functional role 36 points, emotional role 47 points, body pain 48 points, general health 42 points, vitality 50 points, health change 31 points). Conclusion The quality of life of polio patients is far below the dimensions of physical function, while the difference in mental health compared to healthy people is minimal. It would be important to educate health professionals about the existing disease, to develop an effective rehabilitation method.

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Identifying unmet needs in long-term stroke care using in-depth assessment and the Post-Stroke Checklist – The Managing Aftercare for Stroke (MAS-I) study

European Stroke Journal ◽

10.1177/2396987318771174 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 237-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Benjamin Hotter ◽

Inken Padberg ◽

Andrea Liebenau ◽

Petra Knispel ◽

Sabine Heel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Caregiver Burden ◽

Unmet Needs ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Social Needs ◽

Interquartile Range ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Post Stroke

Introduction Detailed data on the long-term consequences and treatment of stroke are scarce. We aimed to assess the needs and disease burden of community-dwelling stroke patients and their carers and to compare their treatment to evidence-based guidelines by a stroke neurologist. Methods We invited long-term stroke patients from two previous acute clinical studies ( n = 516) in Berlin, Germany to participate in an observational, cross-sectional study. Participants underwent a comprehensive interview and examination using the Post-Stroke Checklist and validated standard measures of: self-reported needs, quality of life, overall outcome, spasticity, pain, aphasia, cognition, depression, secondary prevention, social needs and caregiver burden. Results Fifty-seven participants (median initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 10 interquartile range 4–12.75) consented to assessment (median 41 months (interquartile range 36–50) after stroke. Modified Rankin Scale was 2 (median; interquartile range 1–3), EuroQoL index value was 0.81 (median; interquartile range 0.70–1.00). The frequencies for disabilities in the major domains were: spasticity 35%; cognition 61%; depression 20%; medication non-compliance 14%. Spasticity ( p = 0.008) and social needs ( p < 0.001) had the strongest impact on quality of life. The corresponding items in the Post-Stroke Checklist were predictive for low mood ( p < 0.001), impaired cognition ( p = 0.015), social needs ( p = 0.005) and caregiver burden ( p = 0.031). In the comprehensive interview, we identified the following needs: medical review (30%), optimization of pharmacotherapy (18%), outpatient therapy (47%) and social work input (33%). Conclusion These results suggest significant unmet needs and gaps in health and social care in long-term stroke patients. Further research to develop a comprehensive model for managing stroke aftercare is warranted. Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT02320994.

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PARALLEL DELAUNAY REFINEMENT: ALGORITHMS AND ANALYSES

International Journal of Computational Geometry & Applications ◽

10.1142/s0218195907002227 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 17 (01) ◽

pp. 1-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

DANIEL A. SPIELMAN ◽

SHANG-HUA TENG ◽

ALPER ÜNGÖR

Keyword(s):

Mesh Size ◽

Constant Factor ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Delaunay Refinement ◽

Steiner Points ◽

Input Domain ◽

Set Of Points ◽

Refinement Algorithm

We present a parallel Delaunay refinement algorithm for generating well-shaped meshes in both two and three dimensions. Like its sequential counterparts, the parallel algorithm iteratively improves the quality of a mesh by inserting new points, the Steiner points, into the input domain while maintaining the Delaunay triangulation. The Steiner points are carefully chosen from a set of candidates that includes the circumcenters of poorly-shaped triangular elements. We introduce a notion of independence among possible Steiner points that can be inserted simultaneously during Delaunay refinements and show that such a set of independent points can be constructed efficiently and that the number of parallel iterations is O( log 2Δ), where Δ is the spread of the input — the ratio of the longest to the shortest pairwise distances among input features. In addition, we show that the parallel insertion of these set of points can be realized by sequential Delaunay refinement algorithms such as by Ruppert's algorithm in two dimensions and Shewchuk's algorithm in three dimensions. Therefore, our parallel Delaunay refinement algorithm provides the same shape quality and mesh-size guarantees as these sequential algorithms. For generating quasi-uniform meshes, such as those produced by Chew's algorithms, the number of parallel iterations is in fact O( log Δ). To the best of our knowledge, our algorithm is the first provably polylog(Δ) time parallel Delaunay-refinement algorithm that generates well-shaped meshes of size within a constant factor of the best possible.

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Perceptions of Masculinity among Male Varsity Rugby Players at Queen’s

Inquiry@Queen's Undergraduate Research Conference Proceedings ◽

10.24908/iqurcp.9564 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Clare Sheasgreen

Keyword(s):

Social Power ◽

Team Sports ◽

Athletic Administrators ◽

Male Athletes ◽

University Campuses ◽

Masculine Norms ◽

The Social ◽

Varsity Athletes ◽

Sexual Cultures ◽

Rugby Players

Existing literature on the topic of sport and masculinity has suggested that male varsity athletes model more hegemonic masculine norms (Messner, 2002). In fact, athletic participation has been found to be a predictor of misogynistic and homophobic attitudes (Steinfeldt et al., 2011). It has been argued that these attitudes are further enforced by the fact that the social power possessed by male athletes receives institutional support, which can in turn influence the social and sexual cultures on university campuses (Sanday, 2007). Contact team sports have a reputation for reinforcing hegemonic masculinity more than other sports do (Messner, 2002). Rugby is a particularly aggressive and male-dominated sport (Maxwell & Visek, 2009), however the majority of studies on varsity athletics and masculinity use data from American colleges and focus on contact sports that are historically more prominent in North America such as football and hockey (Steinfeldt et al., 2011; Messner, 2002; Boeringer, 1996). I hope to add to the existing body of research by focusing exclusively on rugby at a Canadian University. To do so, I will conduct interviews with 5 men who are current players on the Queen’s varsity rugby team. I will perform a content analysis on the transcripts of the interviews to assess how male varsity rugby players at Queen’s University understand and express masculinity. I intend to distribute my findings to Queen’s athletic administrators and rugby coaching staff. The findings may contribute to leadership training that addresses gender issues in athletics at Queen’s.

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