Gender Differences in Physical Performance and Psychological Assessment Among Cuban National Athletics Team / Diferencias de género en el rendimiento físico y la evaluación psicológica en el equipo nacional de atletismo cubano / Diferenças de gênero no desempenho físico e avaliação psicológica entre a equipe nacional de atletismo de Cuba

Abstract Introduction: Elite sports pose potential health risks, but are vital to the well-being of society. In Cuban society, sport is an integral part of personal development and public health, fostering unity and promoting female participation for sustainable growth. Athletics is one of the most important sports in Cuban sport, and should be approached both from the point of view of sports training and sports psychology. Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide a description of conditional variables in a countermovement jump (CMJ), mood profile, self-efficacy, and the leg-hip height index among athletes from the Cuban national athletics pre-selection team, differentiated by gender. Methods: Our sample consisted of the Cuban national athletics pre-selection team. Results: Mood profile analysis using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) did not reveal significant gender differences, with a small effect size for gender. Men showed a slightly greater trend towards vigor compared to women. Significant differences in self-efficacy were observed between men and women in their confidence levels to achieve jump heights between 21 and 40 cm using the CMJ. However, no significant differences were found for jumps exceeding 40 cm, highlighting the importance of strategies to enhance athletes' psychological needs and self-efficacy. Conclusions: This study suggests that the association between tension-related anxiety and performance indicators related to jump height may play a crucial role in determining specific profiles in male and female Cuban athletes. Our comprehensive analysis contributes to understanding gender differences in performance factors. These findings provide valuable insights for future research and athlete development strategies.

Resumen Introducción: Los deportes de élite plantean riesgos potenciales para la salud, pero son vitales para el bienestar de la sociedad. En la sociedad cubana, el deporte forma parte integral del desarrollo personal y la salud pública, fomentando la unidad y promoviendo la participación femenina, para un crecimiento sostenible. El atletismo es uno de los deportes más importantes en el deporte cubano, y debe ser abordado tanto, desde el punto de vista del entrenamiento deportivo, como desde la psicología deportiva. Propósito: El objetivo de este estudio fue proporcionar una descripción de las variables condicionales en un salto con contramovimiento (CMJ, por sus siglas en inglés), el perfil anímico, la autoeficacia y el índice de altura pierna-cadera en atletas de la preselección nacional cubana de atletismo, diferenciados por sexo. Materiales y métodos: Nuestra muestra estuvo constituida por la preselección nacional de atletismo de Cuba. Resultados: El análisis del perfil del estado de ánimo mediante el Perfil de Estados de Ánimo (POMS) no reveló diferencias significativas entre sexos, con un tamaño del efecto pequeño para el sexo. Los hombres mostraron una tendencia ligeramente mayor hacia el vigor, en comparación con las mujeres. Se observaron diferencias significativas en la autoeficacia entre hombres y mujeres, en sus niveles de confianza para alcanzar alturas de salto de entre 21 y 40 cm utilizando el CMJ. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas para los saltos superiores a 40 cm, lo que pone de relieve la importancia de las estrategias para mejorar las necesidades psicológicas y la autoeficacia de los atletas. Conclusiones: Este estudio sugiere que, la asociación entre la ansiedad, relacionada con la tensión y los indicadores de rendimiento, vinculados con la altura del salto, pueden desempeñar un papel crucial en la determinación de perfiles específicos, en atletas cubanos, de ambos sexos. Nuestro análisis exhaustivo contribuye a comprender las diferencias de género en los factores de rendimiento. Estos hallazgos proporcionan valiosos conocimientos para futuras investigaciones y estrategias de desarrollo en atletas.

Resumo Introdução: Os desportos de elite apresentam riscos potenciais para a saúde, mas são vitais para o bem-estar da sociedade. Na sociedade cubana, o desporto é parte integrante do desenvolvimento pessoal e da saúde pública, fomentando a unidade e promovendo a participação feminina para um crescimento sustentável. O atletismo é uma das modalidades mais importantes do desporto cubano e deve ser abordado tanto do ponto de vista do treino desportivo como da psicologia desportiva. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi fornecer uma descrição das variáveis condicionais em um salto com movimento (CMJ, sigla em inglês), perfil de humor, autoeficácia e o índice de altura da perna-quadril entre atletas da equipe de pré-seleção nacional de atletismo de Cuba, diferenciados por gênero. Métodos: Nossa amostra consistiu na equipe de pré-seleção nacional de atletismo de Cuba. Resultados: A análise do perfil de humor usando o Perfil de Estados de Humor (POMS) não revelou diferenças significativas de gênero, com um pequeno efeito de tamanho para o gênero. Os homens mostraram uma tendência ligeiramente maior para o vigor em comparação com as mulheres. Diferenças significativas na autoeficácia foram observadas entre homens e mulheres em seus níveis de confiança para alcançar alturas de salto entre 21 e 40 cm usando o CMJ. No entanto, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas para saltos superiores a 40 cm, destacando a importância de estratégias para aprimorar as necessidades psicológicas e a autoeficácia dos atletas. Conclusões: Este estudo sugere que a associação entre ansiedade relacionada à tensão e indicadores de desempenho relacionados à altura do salto pode desempenhar um papel crucial na determinação de perfis específicos em atletas cubanos do sexo masculino e feminino. Nossa análise abrangente contribui para entender as diferenças de gênero nos fatores de desempenho. Esses achados fornecem insights valiosos para futuras pesquisas e estratégias de desenvolvimento de atletas.

Percepciones de atletas de slackline en relación con los efectos en el entrenamiento y calidad de vida en situación de covid-19 / Perceptions of Slackline Athletes in Relation to Effects onTraining and Quality of Life in a COVID-19

Resumen La pandemia generada por el COVID-19 se ha convertido en un desafío para atletas de la mayoría de las disciplinas. La incertidumbre frente al contagio ha repercutido física y psicológicamente, y ha provocado un deterioro de la calidad de vida no solo en quienes han contraído la enfermedad sino también en quienes han tenido que vivir el confinamiento. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo conocer las percepciones de atletas de Slackline respecto a los efectos en los entrenamientos y calidad de vida derivados de dicha situación. La investigación se sustenta en un método cuantitativo exploratorio-descriptivo de corte transversal; el instrumento utilizado fue una encuesta autoaplicada con tres dimensiones la cual fue contestada correctamente por 229 personas de 28 países, 176 hombres (15 - 57 años) y 51 mujeres (20 - 43 años), pertenecientes a Europa, América, Asia y Oceanía. Los resultados arrojan que el 97,8% señala haber perdido la motivación, el 60,2% declara tener malas condiciones de infraestructura o poco acceso a sus lugares de entrenamiento, el 65,5% tiene inconvenientes económicos y el 88,2% ha presentado problemas de salud: se destaca que el 10% de las personas encuestadas han sido diagnosticado con COVID-19 positivo. Se concluye que el confinamiento y situación de pandemia han creado un ambiente desfavorable para los atletas y las atletas de Slackline debido a las complicaciones para realizar sus entrenamientos dada la ausencia de acceso a espacios públicos, desmotivación, pérdida de capacidad física y aumento de lesiones.

Abstract The COVID-19 disease is an emerging pandemic challenge, which has physical and psychological repercussions, deteriorating the quality of life in those who have been infected and, in turn, in those who have had to live in confinement. The objective of this study is to know the perceptions of Slackline athletes regarding the effects on training and quality of life derived from the COVID-19 situation. The research is based on a cross-sectional exploratory-descriptive quantitative method. The instrument used was a self-applied survey with three dimensions; 229 people from 28 countries correctly answered it, 176 men (15 - 57 years) and 51 women (20 - 43 years), belonging to Europe, America, Asia, and Oceania. The results show that 97.8% say they have lost motivation, 60.2% declare they have poor infrastructure conditions and / or little access to their training places, 65.5% have financial problems, and 88.2 % have presented health problems, highlighting that 10% of those surveyed have been diagnosed with positive COVID-19. It is concluded that the confinement and pandemic situation has created an unfavorable environment for Slackline athletes due to the complications to carry out their training sessions, lack of access to public spaces, demotivation, loss of physical capacity, and increase in injuries.

Resumo A COVID-19 é um desafio pandêmico emergente, que tem repercussões físicas e psicológicas, prejudicando a qualidade de vida daqueles que foram infectados e daqueles que tiveram que viver em confinamento. O objetivo deste estudo é descobrir as percepções dos atletas de slackline sobre os efeitos no treinamento e na qualidade de vida derivados da situação da COVID-19. A pesquisa é baseada em um método transversal exploratório-descritivo quantitativo, o instrumento utilizado foi uma pesquisa auto-administrada com três dimensões que foi respondida corretamente por 229 pessoas de 28 países, 176 homens (15 - 57 anos) e 51 mulheres (20 - 43 anos), pertencentes à Europa, América, Ásia e Oceania. Os resultados mostram que 97,8% relataram uma perda de motivação, 60,2% relataram más condições de infraestrutura e/ou mau acesso a seus locais de treinamento, 65,5% tiveram problemas financeiros e 88,2% tiveram problemas de saúde, com 10% dos entrevistados sendo diagnosticados com COVID-19 positivos. Conclui-se que a situação de confinamento e pandemia criou um ambiente desfavorável para os atletas da Slackline devido a complicações no treinamento, falta de acesso aos espaços públicos, falta de motivação, perda de capacidade física e um aumento de lesões.

Surmising synchrony of sound and sight: Factors explaining variance of audiovisual integration in hurdling, tap dancing and drumming.

Auditory and visual percepts are integrated even when they are not perfectly temporally aligned with each other, especially when the visual signal precedes the auditory signal. This window of temporal integration for asynchronous audiovisual stimuli is relatively well examined in the case of speech, while other natural action-induced sounds have been widely neglected. Here, we studied the detection of audiovisual asynchrony in three different whole-body actions with natural action-induced sounds-hurdling, tap dancing and drumming. In Study 1, we examined whether audiovisual asynchrony detection, assessed by a simultaneity judgment task, differs as a function of sound production intentionality. Based on previous findings, we expected that auditory and visual signals should be integrated over a wider temporal window for actions creating sounds intentionally (tap dancing), compared to actions creating sounds incidentally (hurdling). While percentages of perceived synchrony differed in the expected way, we identified two further factors, namely high event density and low rhythmicity, to induce higher synchrony ratings as well. Therefore, we systematically varied event density and rhythmicity in Study 2, this time using drumming stimuli to exert full control over these variables, and the same simultaneity judgment tasks. Results suggest that high event density leads to a bias to integrate rather than segregate auditory and visual signals, even at relatively large asynchronies. Rhythmicity had a similar, albeit weaker effect, when event density was low. Our findings demonstrate that shorter asynchronies and visual-first asynchronies lead to higher synchrony ratings of whole-body action, pointing to clear parallels with audiovisual integration in speech perception. Overconfidence in the naturally expected, that is, synchrony of sound and sight, was stronger for intentional (vs. incidental) sound production and for movements with high (vs. low) rhythmicity, presumably because both encourage predictive processes. In contrast, high event density appears to increase synchronicity judgments simply because it makes the detection of audiovisual asynchrony more difficult. More studies using real-life audiovisual stimuli with varying event densities and rhythmicities are needed to fully uncover the general mechanisms of audiovisual integration.

Elite athletes' experiences of musculoskeletal pain management using neuroanatomical dry needling: A qualitative study in Swedish track and field.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate how elite track and field athletes with a history of musculoskeletal pain (MSKP) describe their perceptions of clinical treatments based on dry needling guided by a neurological map (neuroanatomical dry needling (naDN)). DESIGN: Qualitative study. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with eight elite Swedish track and field athletes (6 males, 2 females, median age 28.5) treated at a clinic specialised in MSKP management. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were structured and analysed using a thematic method. RESULTS: The athletes approached clinical MSKP treatment from a performance-orientated perspective. They explained that they inevitably suffered MSKP episodes due to the intense physical demands of their sport. The use of naDN was considered an integral part of their sports practice and the study clinic's services were readily utilised when MSKP caused minor reductions in physical capacity. The athletes appreciated an unambiguous anatomical diagnosis, preferably supported by imaging scans, as this increased their confidence in clinical services. They valued the naDN treatment as it was perceived to provide fast-acting analgesia that enabled rapid return-to-play. These factors combined to reduce performance-related stress. CONCLUSIONS: Elite track and field athletes with a history of MSKP sought and appreciated clinical treatment with naDN largely because it provided fast-acting analgesia that enabled rapid return-to-play at a high-performance level. These athletes' expectations of MSKP diagnosis and management appear incongruent with current research indicating that MSKP sensitivity within the nervous system does not accurately reflect musculoskeletal tissue state or recovery following tissue damage.

Changes in performances/characteristics of French female runners over the last 12 years.

This study investigated the changes in performance of five official track running distances (800m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m and 10,000m) and the characteristics of French female runners between 2005 and 2016. 22,839 official track performances were scrutinized. For each performance, the race time, the indication of personal record, age, and performance level were recorded. The main results showed that: (1) the number of French track performances has increased in recent years (except for the 10,000m) and the level of these performances has improved significantly only for the longer distances (5000 and 10,000m), (2) the longest distances were generally performed by older athletes, and (3) the highest percentage of international athletes was for the 10,000m event. These findings may be explained by: (1) the development plan put into place by the Fédération France d'Athlétisme, (2) age-dependent physiological and psychological factors and environmental conditions, and (3) the minima to access the international level.

Suicidal thoughts (ideation) among elite athletics (track and field) athletes: associations with sports participation, psychological resourcefulness and having been a victim of sexual and/or physical abuse.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between suicidal ideation and sexual and physical abuse among active and recently retired elite athletics (track and field) athletes. METHODS: The study population consisted of all athletes (n=402) selected for a Swedish Athletics team between 2011 and 2017. Data on suicidal ideation, suicidal events (estimated through the 1 year non-sports injury prevalence), lifetime abuse experiences, sociodemographics, sense of coherence and coping strategies were collected using a cross-sectional survey. The data were analysed using binary logistic regression with suicidal ideation and non-sports injury as outcomes. RESULTS: 192 athletes (47.8%) returned data. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 15.6% (men 17.4%; women 14.2%) and the non-sports injury prevalence was 8.0% (men 11.6%; women 5.7%). Among women, suicidal ideation was associated with having been sexually abused (OR 5.94, 95% CI 1.42 to 24.90; p=0.015) and lower sense of coherence (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.96; p=0.001) (Nagelkerke R2=0.33). Among men, suicidal ideation was only associated with use of behavioural disengagement for coping (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.95; p=0.001) (R2 =0.25). Among women, non-sports injury prevalence was associated with having been sexually abused (OR 8.61, 95% CI 1.34 to 55.1; p=0.023) and participating in an endurance event (OR 7.37, 95% CI 1.11 to 48.9; p=0.039 (R2 =0.23), while among men, having immigrant parents (OR 5.67, 95% CI 1.31 to 24.5; p=0.020) (R2 =0.11) was associated with injury outside sports. CONCLUSIONS: About one out of six international athletics athletes reported having experienced suicidal ideation. World Athletics and National Olympic Committees need to include suicide prevention in their athlete protection programmes.

Impact of the talent development environment on the wellbeing and burnout of Caribbean youth track and field athletes.

This study examined the perceived talent development environment (TDE) of youth track and field athletes within the Caribbean region and explores the relationship with their subjective wellbeing and burnout levels. A sample of 400 Caribbean youth track and field athletes (male = 198, and female = 202; age 13-20 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Athletes responded to a survey which included the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire (TDEQ-5), the World Health Organization Wellbeing Index (WHO-5) and the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). Structural equation modelling showed that a positive and supportive TDE was associated with better athlete wellbeing and lower athlete burnout. Moreover, gender and hours of training moderated relationships of athletes' perceptions of their development environment with wellbeing and burnout levels respectively. Furthermore, there was a positive association between the support network and athlete wellbeing, while holistic quality preparation was negatively associated with athlete burnout. Development environments perceived as supportive and geared towards a holistic athlete-centred approach were associated with better athlete wellbeing and lower burnout.

Non-linear association of efficiency of practice of adult elite athletes with their youth multi-sport practice.

We explored associations of elite athletes' multi-year efficiency of practice and improvement of performance with their current and earlier participation patterns. Participants were 80 adult German track-and-field national-squad athletes. Performance improvement was measured as development of athletes' highest track-and-field championship level and placing from 19 to 25 years (t1-t2). Practice efficiency was defined as performance improvement per amount of coach-led athletics practice from t1 to t2. Participation variables included amounts of coach-led practice and peer-led play in athletics and other sports through t1 and t1-t2. Analyses involved an advanced machine learning procedure, XGBoost, allowing non-linear, multivariate exploration. We computed two models, one for performance improvement ("good" discriminative performance, AUC = 0.82) and one for practice efficiency ("fair", AUC = 0.73). Four central findings emerged: 1. Childhood/adolescent coach-led multi-sport practice was a critical discriminator of adult practice efficiency and performance improvement. 2. Associations were non-linear, displaying a saturation pattern. 3. The likelihood of achieving high adult practice efficiency was greatest when combining ~1,000-2,500 track-and-field practice hours until t1 with ~1,250 other-sports practice hours until t1. 4. Peer-led engagement in any sport had negligible effects. Childhood/adolescent multi-sport coach-led practice apparently facilitated long-term sustainability of athletes' development of adult practice efficiency and performance improvement in athletics.

Construct validity and reliability of the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire in Caribbean youth track and field athletes.

Caribbean nations stand to benefit significantly from the potential insights that can be gained from the assessment of their athlete talent development environments; which in turn can lead to the formulation of evidence-based strategies and improvements to their sport development pathways. The principal aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the 25-item TDEQ-5 to determine its validity to assess the development environments of talented youth track and field athletes from six English-speaking Caribbean countries. As a secondary aim, we sought to examine athletes' perceptions of their talent development environment within this context. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed adequate model fit of a re-specified model and good overall internal reliability of the scale, therefore offering support for its use within this context. Furthermore, adequate construct validity and internal reliability was found within three subscales (i.e., communication, holistic quality preparation and support network) with subpar scores within two subscales (i.e., long-term development focus and alignment of expectations). Preliminary findings on athletes' perceptions of their environment revealed key strengths in coaches' long-term development focus and communication, however deficiencies were noted in the accessibility and availability of sport-related support and preparation of athletes. In conclusion, the re-specified TDEQ-5 with 25 items appears to be a reliable and valid measure within the Caribbean context. However, it is recommended that the scale be used with some caution with regard to the interpretation of results for the 'long-term development focus' and 'alignment of expectations' subscales.

Factors Influencing the Early Development of World-Class Caribbean Track and Field Athletes: A Qualitative Investigation.

This qualitative investigation sought to explore through a socio-cultural lens the perceived early training and competition environment, and support network of world-class Caribbean track and field athletes and the influence on their sport engagement and progression during early childhood and adolescence. Sixteen world-class track and field athletes (8 males and 8 females; M age = 29, SD = 5 years) from 6 English-speaking Caribbean islands took part in semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was performed on the transcribed data. Three superordinate themes were identified as key factors that influenced the early sporting development of world-class Caribbean athletes: (1) conducive sporting environment, (2) functional social support network, and (3) key organizational input. Findings revealed that perceived high levels of deliberate play activity in childhood (6 - 12 years) and an intense track and field competition culture in adolescence (13 - 20 years) were conducive to the continued engagement and progression of world-class Caribbean track and field athletes at the junior level. Furthermore, world-class athletes perceived themselves to be positively influenced by the support received from their immediate social support network and key organizations during this period. This study showed that a conducive sporting environment coupled with optimal social and organizational support may have encouraged world-class Caribbean athletes to remain engaged in track and field and to successfully progress within the sport at the junior level. Findings shed light on the sporting culture at the junior level within the Caribbean region and provide insight into key environmental factors that can influence and foster the development of future World Champions and Olympians.