Transcultural validation of the "revised sport motivation scale" (SMS-II) in Arabic language: Exploratory study on motivation in sport for a sample of Tunisian Athletes.

BACKGROUND: Sports performance is the result of an interaction of several variables, such as physical, technical, and psychological. The ability of athletes to use motivation, is an important predictor to achieve high performance in sport. SMS-II comprised 18 elements to measure six behavioral control factors. AIM: This study aims to validate an Arabic version of the revised sports motivation scale-II (SMS-II) and measure the psychometric properties of factorial structure, internal reliability, construct validity, and sensitivity. METHODS: A total of 780 athletes from different disciplines (432 men, 348 women; mean age = 18.97 years) participated in this study. Athletes voluntarily responded to the version of SMS-II. Factorial validity was established by principal component analysis. Both exploratory (EFA; N = 390; males: 52.6%; females: 47.4%; [13-18] = 172; [19-30] = 218) and confirmatory (CFA; N = 390; males: 58.2%; females: 41.8%; [13-18] = 247; [19-30] = 143) analyses were examined. RESULTS: The 18 SMS-II items revealed perfect reliability (McDonald's omega = 0.841, Cronbach's α = 0.858, Gutmann's λ6 = 0.952) and good temporal stability (ICC = 0.960, 95% CI = 0.915-0.980; r = 0.935, 95% CI = 0.889-0.963 at p < 0.001) over 4-week period. The CFA adjustment indices were perfect. CONCLUSION: The results tended to clarify all indices as perfect adjustments to the theoretical model, ensuring the confirmation of factor structure and construction validity regarding the Tunisian sports workforce.

Reliability, criterion-concurrent validity, and construct-discriminant validity of a head-marking version of the taekwondo anaerobic intermittent kick test.

This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of a head-marking version of the taekwondo anaerobic intermittent kick test (TAIKT-head). Twenty-seven (21 males and 6 females) taekwondo athletes performed TAIKT-head on two occasions (test-retest). In addition, they performed the chest-marking version of the TAIKT (TAIKT-chest), 30-s continuous jump (CJ30s), countermovement jump (CMJ) and flexibility tests. To establish TAIKT-head's construct validity (discriminatory capability), two subgroups were identified based on their international and national taekwondo results: 15 elite (12 males and 3 females) and 12 sub-elite (9 males and 3 females) athletes. TAIKT-head showed high relative (ICCs ≥ 0.90) and absolute (SEMs < SWCs) reliability. The comparison between TAIKT-head and TAIKT-chest revealed that absolute and relative peak and mean powers were higher (p < 0.001) in TAIKT-head than in TAIKT-chest. In contrast, the fatigue index and rating of perceived exertion were lower in TAIKT-head than in TAIKT-chest (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively), with no significant difference between the two tests regarding physiological variables. Significant correlations between TAIKT-head and TAIKT-chest (r ranged from 0.74 to 0.53), CJ30s (r ranged from 0.84 to 0.43), and CMJ (r ranged from 0.88 to 0.79) were mostly "very large". There was no association between TAIKT-head and flexibility tests. Elite athletes showed greater TAIKT-head performances than sub-elite counterparts. Receiving operating characteristic analysis indicated that the TAIKT-head effectively discriminated between elite and sub-elite athletes. In conclusion, the TAIKT-head is a reliable and valid test to evaluate the specific intermittent anaerobic power of taekwondo athletes through the most used kicking technique at the head level.

Reliability and Validity of a New Taekwondo-Specific Change-of-Direction Speed Test With Striking Techniques in Elite Taekwondo Athletes: A Pilot Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability, and convergent and discriminative validity of a new taekwondo-specific change-of-direction (COD) speed test with striking techniques (TST) in elite taekwondo athletes. Twenty (10 males and 10 females) elite (athletes who compete at national level) and top-elite (athletes who compete at national and international level) taekwondo athletes with an average training background of 8.9 ± 1.3 years of systematic taekwondo training participated in this study. During the two-week test-retest period, various generic performance tests measuring COD speed, balance, speed, and jump performance were carried out during the first week and as a retest during the second week. Three TST trials were conducted with each athlete and the best trial was used for further analyses. The relevant performance measure derived from the TST was the time with striking penalty (TST-TSP). TST-TSP performances amounted to 10.57 ± 1.08 s for males and 11.74 ± 1.34 s for females. The reliability analysis of the TST performance was conducted after logarithmic transformation, in order to address the problem of heteroscedasticity. In both groups, the TST demonstrated a high relative test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients and 90% compatibility limits were 0.80 and 0.47 to 0.93, respectively). For absolute reliability, the TST's typical error of measurement (TEM), 90% compatibility limits, and magnitudes were 4.6%, 3.4 to 7.7, for males, and 5.4%, 3.9 to 9.0, for females. The homogeneous sample of taekwondo athletes meant that the TST's TEM exceeded the usual smallest important change (SIC) with 0.2 effect size in the two groups. The new test showed mostly very large correlations with linear sprint speed (r = 0.71 to 0.85) and dynamic balance (r = -0.71 and -0.74), large correlations with COD speed (r = 0.57 to 0.60) and vertical jump performance (r = -0.50 to -0.65), and moderate correlations with horizontal jump performance (r = -0.34 to -0.45) and static balance (r = -0.39 to -0.44). Top-elite athletes showed better TST performances than elite counterparts. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the TST effectively discriminated between top-elite and elite taekwondo athletes. In conclusion, the TST is a valid, and sensitive test to evaluate the COD speed with taekwondo specific skills, and reliable when considering ICC and TEM. Although the usefulness of the TST is questioned to detect small performance changes in the present population, the TST can detect moderate changes in taekwondo-specific COD speed.

Reliability and validity of a modified Illinois change-of-direction test with ball dribbling speed in young soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to assess test-retest reliability, discriminative and criterion-related validity of the modified Illinois change-of-direction (CoD) test with ball dribbling-speed (ICODT-BALL) in young soccer players of different biological maturity and playing levels. Sixty-five young male soccer players (11.4 ± 1.2 years) participated in this study. The participants were classified according to their biological maturity (pre- and circumpeak height velocity [PHV]) and playing-level (elite and amateur players). During the test-retest time period of two weeks, the following tests were performed during week one and as retest during week two: ICODT-BALL, ICODT, 4 × 9-m shuttle-run, countermovement-jump, triple-hop-test, maximum-voluntary isometric-contraction of back-extensors, Stork, Y-Balance, 10 and 30-m sprints. The ICODT-BALL showed excellent relative (r = 0.995, p < 0.001; ICC = 0.993) and absolute (SEM < 5%; SEM < SWCs(0.2, 0.6, 1.2)) reliability. The circum-PHV (22.8 ± 1.7-s) and elite (22.5 ± 0.9-s) players showed better ICODT-BALL performance than their pre-PHV (24.2 ± 2.5-s) and amateur (25.1 ± 2.8-s) counterparts (p = 0.028 and p < 0.001, respectively). The ICODT-BALL showed "very good" (AUC = 0.81) discriminant validity when comparing the elite and amateur players, and "moderate" (AUC = 0.67) discriminant validity when compared to pre-PHV and circum-PHV boys. ICODT-BALL demonstrated "large" positive associations with the ICODT (r = 0.65; 41.8% shared-variance) and sprint tests (r ≥ 0.52; 27.3 to 34.8% shared-variance). In addition, results showed "moderate" negative associations between ICODT-BALL and strength, and power measures, as well as a "small" negative relationship with balance tests. In conclusion, the ICODT-BALL is a valid and reliable test to evaluate the ability to quickly change directions while ball dribbling in young soccer players. Therefore, practitioners can use the ICODT-BALL as a tool for talent identification.

The effect of Ramadan fasting on the morning-evening difference in team-handball-related short-term maximal physical performances in elite female team-handball players.

The combined effect of Ramadan fasting and the time of theday on the physical performance of team-handball players has not yet been fully investigated. This study investigated the effects of Ramadan fasting on the morning-evening difference in team-handball-related short-term maximal physical performance. With acounterbalanced study design, 15 elite female team-handball players underwent the hand grip (HG), ball throwing velocity (BTV), modified agility T-test (MAT), and repeated shuttle-sprint and jump ability (RSSJA) tests at 07:00 h and 17:00 h, one week before Ramadan (BR), and during thesecond (SWR) and fourth week of Ramadan (4WR). The oral temperature (OT) was monitored prior to exercise and the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) scale were obtained after RSSJA. The results showed that the time of theday had an effect on OT under all conditions. The HG, BTV, and MAT test performances were higher in the evening than in the morning BR (P< .001, P< .05, and P< .001, respectively). However, the diurnal variation noted in the HG and MAT tests was reversed during the SWR and 4WR, while the BTV variation was blunted during the SWR and reversed during the 4WR. The best RSSJA performance was observed in the evening BR. However, for the best and mean sprint times, areversal of this diurnal variation was observed, which was blunted for the mean jump height and sprint time decrement during Ramadan. Moreover, RPE were influenced by the time of theday and the month of Ramadan. These findings suggest that the diurnal variation of team-handball-related short-term maximal physical performance may be reversed and/or blunted during Ramadan fasting.

Correction: Tayech, A., et al. Second Wave of COVID-19 Global Pandemic and Athletes' Confinement: Recommendations to Better Manage and Optimize the Modified Lifestyle. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 8385.

In our recently published article [...].

Second Wave of COVID-19 Global Pandemic and Athletes' Confinement: Recommendations to Better Manage and Optimize the Modified Lifestyle.

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease that has spread globally, resulting in the ongoing pandemic. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for COVID-19. Preventive measures to reduce the chances of contagion consist mainly of confinement, avoiding crowded places, social distancing, masks, and applying strict personal hygiene as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). After the first wave of infection in many countries, the potential effects of relaxing containment and physical distancing control measures suggest that as a result of these measures, a second wave of COVID-19 appears probable in these countries. In sport, the period of self-isolation, and quarantine, for COVID-19 affects the physical preparation of athletes as well as their mental health and quality of life to an even greater extent (i.e., nutrition, sleep, healthy lifestyle), and thus, relevant and practical recommendations are needed to help alleviate these physical and mental health concerns. Our review aims to summarize the physiological and psychological effects of detraining associated with athletes' confinement during the proposed second wave of COVID-19. This article also proposes answers to questions that concern the advantages and disadvantages of different types of social media platforms, the importance of nutrition, and the effects of sleep disturbance on the health and modified lifestyle of athletes during this worldwide pandemic. Thus, this review provides some general guidelines to better manage their modified lifestyle and optimally maintain their physical and mental fitness with respect to measures taken during this restrictive proposed second wave of the COVID-19 confinement period.

Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test: Discriminant Validity and an Update with the Gold-Standard Wingate Test.

The aim of this study was to update the validity of the Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test compared with the 30-s Wingate anaerobic test as the "Gold-Standard", squat jump and countermovement jump tests. The second objective was to examine whether this new specific test would be able to effectively discriminate between elite taekwondo athletes of different competitive levels. Twenty taekwondo athletes (15 males and 5 females) participated in the validation component, whereas 18 (14 males and 4 females) and 16 (13 males and 3 females) athletes participated in the reliability analysis of the Wingate anaerobic test and jumping tests, respectively. They performed these tests on two separate occasions (i.e., test-retest), in addition to the Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test. To establish test's discriminatory capability (i.e., construct validity), two subgroups were identified based on their international and national taekwondo performance: 10 elite (8 males and 2 females) and 9 sub-elite (7 males and 2 females) athletes. Wingate anaerobic test and jumping tests performances showed excellent reliability (ICC > 0.90, SEM < 5% for most variables). Significant correlations between Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test, Wingate anaerobic test, and jumping tests' variables were mostly "large". Elite taekwondo athletes showed greater taekwondo test performances compared with their sub-elite counterparts (p < 0.001). Receiving operating characteristic analysis indicated that the taekwondo specific test was able to effectively discriminate between elite and sub-elite taekwondo athletes. Overall, the findings of the current study support the concurrent validity of the Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test. In particular, the Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test showed good ability to effectively discriminate between taekwondo athletes of different competitive levels.

Test-retest reliability and criterion validity of a new Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the relative and absolute test-retest reliability and criterion validity of a new Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test (TAIKT). METHODS: Twenty Tunisian elite Taekwondo athletes participated in this study (15 males and 5 females). Participants performed the TAIKT and the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), twice (test and retest), on separate occasions three-week apart. Peak heart rate (HRpeak), blood lactate concentration [LaÖ¾], and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during each session. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the test and retest of TAIKT and RAST for all performances and physiological variables, except for the absolute mean power (Pmean) of RAST. Test-retest results showed that the TAIKT and RAST were reliable. All TAIKT and RAST parameters had an ICC>0.90, SEM<5%, with the smallest worthwhile change slightly higher than SEM, with very small limits of concordance. Strong significant correlations were found between TAIKT and RAST parameters (Ppeak (r=0.81; r=0.70), Pmean (r=0.72; r=0.60) in (W and W·Kg-67 respectively), fatigue index (r=0.81), [LaÖ¾] (r=0.89) and RPE (r=0.78) at P<0.01, and HRpeak (r=0.55, at P<0.05)). CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that the TAIKT can be considered as a valid and reliable specific test for assessing anaerobic power of Taekwondo athletes.

One night of partial sleep deprivation increased biomarkers of muscle and cardiac injuries during acute intermittent exercise.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two types of partial sleep deprivation (PSD) on biomarkers of muscle and cardiac injuries in response to acute intermittent exercise in professional athletes. METHODS: In a counterbalanced order, ten healthy male Taekwondo athletes were asked to perform the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (YYIRT) in three conditions, allowing a 36 h recovery period in between: 1) following a full night of habitual sleep known as a reference sleep night (RN); 2) following PSD in the beginning of the night (PSDBN); and 3) following PSD in the end of the night (PSDEN). Heart rate (HR) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) were measured during exercise. Blood samples were taken just before and 3 min after the YYIRT to measure biomarkers related to muscle and cardiac injuries (BRMCI). RESULTS: No significant effect of PSD was observed for physiological parameters (i.e., HR and SaO2). However, a significant alteration of resting ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP) (P<0.05) and myoglobin (MYO) (P<0.01) levels was detected after PSDEN. Furthermore, all BRMCI were altered by exercise. Likewise, compared to RN, PSD affected creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and MYO levels in response to exercise (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that PSDEN increase the resting us-CRP and MYO levels, and that the two types of PSD increase the CPK and MYO levels in response to acute intermittent exercise, among Taekwondo athletes, in the evening of the following day. However, no rise of the physiological responses has been observed after the two types of PSD, at rest and in response to the exercise.

Does one night of partial sleep deprivation affect the evening performance during intermittent exercise in Taekwondo players?

Athletes and coaches believe that adequate sleep is essential for peak performance. There is ample scientific evidence which support the conclusion that sleep loss seems to stress many physiological functions in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of one night's sleep deprivation on intermittent exercise performance in the evening of the following day. Ten male Taekwondo players performed the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (YYIRT) in three sleep conditions (reference sleep night [RN], partial sleep deprivation at the beginning of night [PSDBN], partial sleep deprivation at the end of night [PSDEN]) in a counterbalanced order, allowing a recovery period ≥36 hr in between them. Heart rate peak (HRpeak), plasma lactate concentrations (Lac) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during the test. A significant effect of sleep restriction was observed on the total distance covered in YYIRT (P<0.0005) and Lac (P<0.01) in comparison with the RN. In addition, performance more decreased after PSDEN (P<0.0005) than PSDBN (P<0.05). Also, Lac decreased significantly only after PS-DEN (P<0.05) compared with RN. However, there were no significant changes in HRpeak and RPE after the two types of partial sleep deprivation compared to RN. The present study indicates that short-term sleep restriction affect the intermittent performance, as well as the Lac levels of the Taekwondo players in the evening of the following day, without alteration of HRpeak and RPE.