Entre injonction et auto-régulation : le cas de la Fédération suisse de patinage dans la mise en œuvre d’une politique de la formation

Cette étude de cas illustre la façon dont la Fédération suisse de patinage (SIS) a progressivement intégré la politique de formation édictée par le gouvernement via l’organisation faîtière du sport, Swiss Olympic. Prenant appui sur la littérature relative à la professionnalisation et l’autorégulation des fédérations face aux injonctions gouvernementales, cette étude se focalise sur les dimensions de la professionnalisation mises à contribution pour l’adaptation de SIS à la politique de la formation. Cette analyse repose sur une approche managériale à travers le modèle des 7S de McKinsey. Elle s’étend également aux parties prenantes de SIS en vue de faire ressortir les difficultés rencontrées par SIS dans la mise en œuvre de la politique de la formation pour le patinage artistique. Les entretiens menés et l’analyse de la documentation à disposition montrent comment la politique de la formation visant à garantir l’unité du suivi national est devenue l’une des principales préoccupations stratégiques de SIS entraînant des changements importants au niveau de ses structures et de son personnel, mais également au niveau du style de leadership. Les principales difficultés rencontrées par SIS sont liées à la conciliation de différentes logiques de la pratique sportive et à la coordination de plusieurs parties prenantes. Cette étude revêt de l’intérêt au-delà du contexte helvétique, notamment pour comprendre l’évolution des fédérations sportives en lien avec les politiques gouvernementales.

Effect of gender, carrying and planting the pole on approach step parameters in young pole vaulters

In pole vaulting, take-off speed is considered as a major determinant of performance. Pole carriage could affect the speed acquired during the approach and at the take-off. This study investigated different types of runs performed randomly by young male and female expert athletes: maximal sprint, maximal pole carriage run, maximal run-up with simulated pole plant and competition situation. Speed profile was determined with a radar gun and spatiotemporal parameters were recorded for the last 20 m of the approach with the Optojump Next system. For both genders, mechanical variables were compared using two-way ANOVAs with repeated measurements. Pole carriage represents the main cause of speed decrease for both men (−5.8%) and women (−6.2%). A step rate decrease during pole carriage was pointed out with an increase of contact time for both men and women. Significant speed decrease was observed for women at the take-off compared to pole plant simulation (−4.3%), while not for men. Those results provide a new insight for pole vault training allowing to update training process with specific exercises leading to reduce speed loss at take-off.

Applications smartphones pour l’analyse de la performance : un laboratoire dans votre poche

La performance sportive est influencée par les capacités musculaires et physiques des athlètes. Les mesures de référence en laboratoire permettent d’évaluer les productions de force, vitesse, puissance dans des mouvements de saut, de sprint et de musculation, ou encore de biomécanique de la foulée de course, qui comptent parmi les déterminants biomécaniques de la performance sportive. Cependant, bien qu’historiquement développées « sur le terrain » notamment par les travaux d’Étienne-Jules Marey, ces techniques n’étaient pas accessibles au plus grand nombre de pratiquants et praticiens. Grâce au développement récent d’appareils photos et caméras haute fréquence (240 images/s) intégrés dans les smartphones et tablettes du fabricant Apple, des applications ont été inventées et validées par comparaison avec des mesures de référence. Elles utilisent des modèles biomécaniques validés par ailleurs pour calculer force, vitesse, puissance mécanique et performance en saut, lors d’une accélération en sprint, estimer la force maximale lors de mouvement de musculation ou des variables biomécaniques de la foulée de course et leur asymétrie. Le ratio coût/précision/simplicité élevé de ces applications a permis de générer des connaissances sur la performance sportive, mais également des avancées dans l’entraînement sportif qui auraient été impossibles sans la levée de ce verrou technologique.

Effects of daytime ingestion of melatonin on heart rate response during prolonged exercise

The current study sought to investigate the effect of melatonin consumption on cardiovascular response during submaximal exercise in healthy men. For this purpose, eight students (age: 21.8 ± 0.9) were asked to run for 45 minutes at submaximal intensity after melatonin-(6 mg) or placebo-ingestion, in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Heart rate (HR) and rectal temperature (Tre) evolution during exercise were measured. Blood samples were drawn twice (before and immediately after exercise) for the determination of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), lactate, protein, and superoxide dismutase concentrations. The results showed that melatonin may disturb thermoregulatory control by exerting an effect on HR at 10 min of exercise, reducing HR by 6.6% (9 bpm; P < 0.001), and this effect decreased to 3.6% at the end of exercise (P < 0.01). Melatonin has no effect on triglycerides total cholesterol, HDL-c, lactate, and protein at rest and post-exercise. Although melatonin administration did not present a risk for cardiovascular function in healthy men, melatonin at high doses could decrease superoxide dismutase concentrations owing to the alteration of redox balance. These findings suggest that a high concentration of antioxidants does not enhance cardiovascular performance and may impair thermoregulatory control during prolonged exercise.

Analyse de l’influence des représentations individuelles sur les modalités de pratique en longe-côte. Vers une perception de l’environnement marin génératrice d’une socialisation hybride basée sur l’aventure, le nomadisme et l’éveil

Le longe-côte est une activité initialement destinée à servir de préparation physique pour les pratiquants d’aviron. Depuis 2010, elle s’est progressivement transformée en une activité de bien-être. Si certaines études ont pu démontrer les bénéfices physiologiques d’une activité aquatique comme le longe-côte, il n’en demeure pas moins qu’aucune étude n’a démontré l’effet et les représentations du milieu marin sur les craintes, les motifs de pratique ou encore les attentes du pratiquant au cours des premières séances. Pourtant, l’environnement dans lequel le longe-côte est pratiqué joue un rôle fondamental sur la perception du pratiquant. Cette étude associant l’observation de terrain aux entretiens semi-directifs tente d’analyser les connexions qui peuvent être générées dans le cadre de ce sport en plein essor. L’approche empirique mise en place dans cette recherche est basée sur des observations et des entretiens semi-directifs permettant de connaître plus en détail les déterminants d’une pratique hybride du longe-côte basée sur l’éveil des sens, l’aventure et le nomadisme. La prise de l’individu sur son milieu de pratique génère une perception et une attention particulières vis-à-vis du risque perçu et des situations d’apprentissage.

Evaluation of the volleyball coaches’ experience in a 3-dimensions environment

The new technologies in sport can help to reproduce a real game context. Therefore, we aim to characterize the experience of volleyball coaches immerged in a 3D volleyball game to see if the device could be a credible tool in a coaching training program. Seventeen volleyball coaches were immerged into three sequences of a 3D volleyball game with Oculus Rift headset before completing a perceptions’ questionnaire composed by 33 items concerning users’ experience factors and 3 open-ended questions. The results show positive scores for the immersion (M = 6.49, SD = 2.84), positive emotions (M = 5.24, SD = 2.69), judgment (M = 7.70, SD = 1.82) and flow (M = 5.83, SD = 2.75) even if this last result has to be taken carefully. The answers to the open-ended questions confirm those data. Despite some limitations, the link between the results and some important notions of the behaviour change as the intrinsic motivation, the self-determination theory and the learning outcomes seems to emphasize the benefits of an implementation of the device into a coaching training program. Nevertheless, this use has to be limited to the training of observations of the environment rather than the intervention training because of the lack of control on the environment and interaction allows by the 3D device.

Training habits and lower limb injury prevention in parkour practitioners

Parkour consists of overcoming obstacles mostly in an urban landscape. Little is known regarding usual training habits and injury risks of traceurs, i.e., parkour practitioners. In this study, a 20-min survey have been fulfilled by a population of traceurs regarding training load, habits (type of warm up, physical conditioning, stretching), type of footwear, and number and type of ankle- and knee-injuries during their career. A total of 180 responses were analyzed (24.4 ± 5.9 years old, 21.7% female, 6.0 ± 3.9 years of experience). Participants reported to train 1 to 7 times per week for a mean duration of 2.2 h. 76% practiced stretching exercises. 75.6% practiced physical conditioning in addition to their parkour training (weightlifting, functional exercises). Injury rate was 1.7 per 1000 h of training, mostly ankle sprains and knee contusions. Number of injury and training load were positively correlated. The lack of physical conditioning was also a factor of injury. Knee injuries have been more frequent on participants wearing minimalist shoes. Although training appears well auto-organized and the injury rate quite low some pitfalls require attention, notably in training planning, warm-up, stretching and conditioning. Building training and coaching methods specific to parkour appears essential.

A different look at featured motor learning models: comparison exam of Gallahue’s, Fitts and Posner’s and Ann Gentile’s motor learning models

Learning motor skills follows a predictable sequence and stages. The main purpose of this study is to examine Gallahue’s motor learning model and compare it with existing featured models. Until now, several different models have been proposed by several theorists to identify and describe stages of motor learning. Fitts, P.M., and Posner, M.I. (1967. Human performance. Belmont: Brooks/Cole Pub. Co.) proposed a three-stage model for motor skill learning based on the learner’s cognitive state during the learning continuum. Gentile (1972–1978) proposed a two-stage model based on the goals of the learner. Gallahue (1972–2012) presented a three-level model with several accompanying sub-stages. In the present study, these models were compared in order to identify the best model to assist learners and practitioners. Analytical examinations showed that Gallahue’s motor learning model incorporates elements from both Fitts and Posner and Gentile models, but also provides specific guidelines and actions for instructors and practitioners along the learning continuum. Therefore, it seems to be more comprehensive and coherent (logical connection or relevant) in terms of functionality than existing models and provides specific cues for maximizing learning and meet the learner’s needs at each stage of learning.

Patterns of numerical relations in goal-scoring possessions of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Winner

Goal scoring has been regarded as the ultimate indicator of offensive success in soccer. Research on patterns that characterize goal-scoring possessions have frequently employed reductionist approaches. This paper aimed to examine the patterns of numerical relations of open-play goal-scoring possessions of the 2014 FIFA™ World Cup winner team. We hypothesized that a more unstable distribution of players in goal-scoring possessions Germany would be generated in sub-areas of the effective play-space closer to opponents’ goal. We analysed 11 video sequences from 6 matches of the German team in this tournament. The uncertainty of teams’ numerical advantage within sub-areas of play was calculated for each offensive sequence through Shannon’s entropy. We observed higher entropy within Germany’s Central Offensive (opponents’ Central Defensive) sub-area in comparison with the other sub-areas of play. There is a tendency of the German team to generate numerical instability within locations closer to the opponents’ goal, possibly due to the shifting of positions, drawing of opposing defenders towards peripheral areas and the creation of spaces for teammates to exploit within this risky zone to the opposition.

Musculoskeletal profile of amateur combat athletes: body composition, muscular strength and striking power

Background: Previous research highlighted positive musculoskeletal adaptations resulting from mechanical forces and loadings distinctive to impacts and movements with sports participation. However, little is known about these adaptations in combat athletes. The aim of this study was to quantify bone mineral density, lean muscle mass and punching and kicking power in amateur male combat athletes. Methods: Thirteen male combat athletes (lightweight and middleweight) volunteered all physiological tests including dual energy X-ray absorptiometry for bone mineral density (BMD) segmental body composition (lean muscle mass, LMM), muscle strength and striking power, sedentary controls (n = 15) were used for selected DXA outcome variables. Results: There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between combat groups for lumbar spine (+5.0%), dominant arm (+4.4%) BMD, and dominant and non-dominant leg LMM (+21.8% and +22.6%). Controls had significantly (p < 0.05) high adiposity (+36.8% relative), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass (+69.7%), VAT area (+69.5%), lower total body BMD (−8.4%) and lumbar spine BMD (−13.8%) than controls. No differences in lower limb BMD were seen in combat groups. Arm lean mass differences (dominant versus non-dominant) were significantly different between combat groups (p < 0.05, 4.2% versus 7.3%). There were no differences in punch/kick power (absolute or relative) between combat groups. 5RM strength (bench and squat) correlated significantly with upper limb striking power (r = 0.57), dominant and non-dominant leg BMD (r = 0.67, r = 0.70, respectively) and total body BMD (r = 0.59). Conclusion: BMD and LMM appear to be particularly important to discriminate between dominant and non-dominant upper limbs and less so for lower limb dominance in recreational combat athletes.