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.

The Effect of a Novel Video Game on Young Soccer Players' Sports Performance and Attention: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Currently, the fusion of technology and sports is inevitable. The integration of various systems and devices has brought about significant transformations in established sports practices, impacting not only the rules but also physiological, biomechanical, and even psychological aspects. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of an attention intervention through a video game on young soccer players. Methods: Twelve young male soccer players (age: mean 8.5, SD 1 years) were divided into 2 groups: a control group (CG; n=10) and an experimental group (EG; n=10). During the 6-week training program, the EG received attention training through a video game twice a week for 15 minutes per session. Pre- and postintervention measurements included a specific decision-making soccer test and interviews with coaching staff. Additionally, success in the video game, muscular activity, and sweat levels were monitored. Results: The EG demonstrated a significant improvement in video game success following the intervention program, as indicated by the achieved level (P<.001). However, no significant differences were found between groups regarding electromyographic (EMG) activity (P=.21) and sweating (P=.20). Prior to implementing the attention training program, both groups exhibited similar data for variables related to decision-making and execution mechanisms (≤10%). Only 2 decision-making variables exceeded 10% but remained below 15% (Shot_D=13.35%; Marking_with_Ball_D=-12.64%). Furthermore, changes in attacking action variables were more pronounced in execution-related variables, except for dribbling and fixing. Conversely, in defensive action variables, changes were greater in decision-related variables, except for marking with the ball and marking without the ball. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that incorporating a specific attentional video game into a soccer training program enhances decision-making compared to a program without the video game. Therefore, it is advisable for practitioners to consider using this tool due to its high efficiency in terms of economic and temporal costs, particularly in improving a key psychological variable.

Analyzing the impact of non-participation in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on LaLiga players' physical performance.

Background: Monitoring external load demands in soccer is crucial for optimizing performance and reducing injury risk. However, events like the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and unexpected interruptions can disrupt load management strategies. Understanding the impact of such events on player performance is essential for effective training and recovery strategies. Objective: This study retrospectively assessed the impact of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on the physical performance of LaLiga elite soccer players who were not part of the tournament. The aim was to analyze various external load parameters and determine the direction of their changes post-tournament. Methods: Data from 239 LaLiga players who were not selected for the World Cup were analyzed. External load parameters from 8 matches before and after the tournament were compared. Statistical analyses, including repeated measures ANOVA, were conducted to evaluate changes in performance metrics. Results: Minutes played and total distance covered showed no significant changes post-tournament. However, maximal speed decreased significantly (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.117). High-speed running parameters improved significantly (p < 0.05), except for HSRRelCount (p = 0.074; η2p = 0.013). Sprint-related variables demonstrated significant enhancements, except for SprintAbsAvgDuration, SprintMaxAvgDuration, and Sprints >85% Vel Max. Acceleration metrics showed significant improvements in Accel_HighIntensityAccAbsCount (p = 0.024; η2p = 0.021), while Accel_Accelerations showed no significant changes. Deceleration metrics remained unchanged, but Accel_HighIntensityDecAbsCount and Accel_HighIntensityDecAbsDistance increased significantly post-tournament (p = 0.002; η2p = 0.040, p = 0.001; η2p = 0.044, respectively). Conclusion: Non-participant LaLiga players demonstrated enhanced performance in most external load metrics after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. These findings highlight the importance of effective load management during periods of competition interruption and suggest strategies to optimize performance and reduce injury risk. Further research should consider holistic performance metrics and internal load parameters to provide comprehensive insights into player response to mid-season tournaments.

Exploring Indicators for Training Load Control in Young Swimmers: The Role of Inspiratory Spirometry Outcomes.

One of the most important implications of technology in swimming is to control training loads. Lactate control, video-analysis of the technique or the assessment of specific actions, i.e., the vertical jump, have helped to provide load adaptation indicators in swimmers in recent decades. However, these indicators have led to a longer application time, due to their indirect procedure and the need to analyze each variable. The aim of this study was to analyze whether inspiratory spirometry values can serve as a training load control tool in swimmers. Countermovement jump (CMJ), Inspiratory Force Index (S-INDEX) and Peak Inspiratory Flow (PIF) were evaluated with a load of 3 cm H2O before, during and after performing a swimming performance test (critical speed test: specific warming up, 400 m and 100 m freestyle). Positive correlations were found between S-INDEX and jump height after warm-up, after 400 m and at the end of 100 m (Spearman = 0.470, R2 = 0.280; Spearman = 0.508, R2 = 0.392; Spearman = 0.458, R2 = 0.359, p < 0.05, respectively). Moreover, positive correlations were also found between PIF and jump height at the same evaluated moments (Spearman = 0.461, R2 = 0.305; Spearman = 0.493, R2 = 0.386; Spearman = 0.454, R2 = 0.374, p < 0.05). Both the S-INDEX and the PIF could serve as useful tools for swimmer load control, allowing coaches to make more immediate decisions.

Perfil de estado de ánimo y autoeficacia percibida en tareas de salto con contramovimiento en atletas cubanos de élite

Introducción: El estado de ánimo y la autoeficacia presentan estrecha relación con el rendimiento deportivo. En atletismo, contar con un control exhaustivo del entrenamiento físico y mental supone asentar las bases del máximo rendimiento, siendo el salto vertical un excelente elemento de control. Sin embargo, su relación con los aspectos psicológicos durante los entrenamientos se ha divulgado poco en la literatura. Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar la relación entre el perfil de estado de ánimo y la autoeficacia durante saltos verticales en deportistas juveniles de la preselección nacional cubana de atletismo. Método: Se evaluó el estado de ánimo y la autoeficacia antes de ejecutar un salto con contra movimiento (CMJ), presentándose el valor de 40 cm como elemento de máximo rendimiento en atletas de élite. Resultados: Se encontró correlación significativa entre el factor ansiedad del POMS y variables del CMJ. Además, se encontró correlación negativa entre la autoeficacia y la ansiedad, aunque no significativa (p > .05). Conclusiones: Los deportistas con un estado de ánimo de puntuación media de ansiedad, aunque no sobreelevada (puntaje 2 sobre 4) antes de la ejecución de saltos verticales, obtuvieron mejores resultados de CMJ, consiguiendo un mayor rendimiento tanto en la altura de salto, como en la velocidad, fuerza y potencia del salto. Sin embargo, no se hallaron correlaciones significativas entre la autoeficacia y el estado de ánimo, ni con variables de salto.

Introduction: Both mood and self-efficacy seem to be components closely related to the athlete's performance. In athletics, to have an exhaustive control of training from the physical and mental point of view is to lay the foundations for sporting success. Exercises such as the vertical jump are an excellent element of control of athletic performance. However, their relationship with psychological aspects during training has been little reported in the literature. Our objective was to analyze the relationship between the mood profile and self-efficacy during vertical jumps in youth athletes of the Cuban national preselection of athletics. Method: Mood and self-efficacy were evaluated before executing a countermovement jump (CMJ), presenting the 40-cm value as the element of maximum success in elite athletes. Results: A significant correlation was found between anxiogenic mood and vertical jump variables. In addition, a negative correlation was found between self-efficacy and anxiety, although not significant (p > .05). Conclusions: Athletes with a medium anxiety score mood although not overelevated (score 2 out of 4) before the execution of vertical jumps obtained better CMJ results, achieving higher performance in both jump height, speed, strength and power of the jump. However, no significant correlations were found between self-efficacy and mood, nor with the jumping variables.

Neuromuscular Response during Different Side-Cutting Maneuvers and Its Influence on the Risk of Knee Injuries.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of a customized exercise program on electromyographic (EMG) variables during side-cutting maneuvers. METHODS: Fifty-seven physically active volunteers were recruited and randomized into two groups: a control group (CG) and an experimental group (EG). The CG maintained their regular physical activity, while the EG followed an individualized, integrated exercise regimen that included strength, neuromuscular, proprioceptive, eccentric training, and whole-body vibration (WBV) exercises, lasting for 12 weeks. EMG-Root Means Square (RMS) values for the quadriceps (Q) and hamstrings (H) were measured immediately following initial foot contact at 50, 100, 150, and 200 milliseconds. Changes in EMG activity were evaluated before and after a twelve-week intervention, and the effect size (ES, 90% confidence limit [90%CL]) was calculated. RESULTS: The results showed that the EG participants exhibited enhanced co-contraction as measured by the hamstring/quadriceps ratio (H/Q ratio) during both open and cross-cutting side maneuvers after the twelve-week intervention. CONCLUSION: Furthermore, the customized, integrated exercise program that combined strength, neuromuscular, proprioceptive, eccentric training, and WBV exercises were could potentially serve as a beneficial neuromuscular and biomechanical strategy for addressing knee injury risk in non-professional, physically active populations at high risk for such injuries.

Effects of an Acute Exercise Bout on Serum Hepcidin Levels.

Iron deficiency is a frequent and multifactorial disorder in the career of athletes, particularly in females. Exercise-induced disturbances in iron homeostasis produce deleterious effects on performance and adaptation to training; thus, the identification of strategies that restore or maintain iron homeostasis in athletes is required. Hepcidin is a liver-derived hormone that degrades the ferroportin transport channel, thus reducing the ability of macrophages to recycle damaged iron, and decreasing iron availability. Although it has been suggested that the circulating fraction of hepcidin increases during early post-exercise recovery (~3 h), it remains unknown how an acute exercise bout may modify the circulating expression of hepcidin. Therefore, the current review aims to determine the post-exercise expression of serum hepcidin in response to a single session of exercise. The review was carried out in the Dialnet, Elsevier, Medline, Pubmed, Scielo and SPORTDiscus databases, using hepcidin (and "exercise" or "sport" or "physical activity") as a strategy of search. A total of 19 articles were included in the review after the application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria. This search found that a single session of endurance exercise (intervallic or continuous) at moderate or vigorous intensity (60-90% VO2peak) stimulates an increase in the circulating levels of hepcidin between 0 h and 6 h after the end of the exercise bout, peaking at ~3 h post-exercise. The magnitude of the response of hepcidin to exercise seems to be dependent on the pre-exercise status of iron (ferritin) and inflammation (IL-6). Moreover, oxygen disturbances and the activation of a hypoxia-induced factor during or after exercise may stimulate a reduction of hepcidin expression. Meanwhile, cranberry flavonoids supplementation promotes an anti-oxidant effect that may facilitate the post-exercise expression of hepcidin. Further studies are required to explore the effect of resistance exercise on hepcidin expression.