The influence of the perceived requirements of the next match and motivation on the mental fatigue of soccer players.

The high cognitive and/or emotional demands of competition can lead to a state of mental fatigue which has shown to be detrimental to soccer performance. However, there is a need to further understand the true mental demands of soccer players. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of motivation and the perceived requirements of the next match on mental fatigue perceived by soccer players over the passing of a season. The combined effect of both variables on the perception of mental fatigue, as well as the influence of the time of the season on perceived mental fatigue, were also analyzed. Twenty-six semi-professional Spanish male players (M = 26.31 ± 5.18 years) participated in the present study, conducted during the 2020-2021 season. Perceived mental fatigue and motivation were measured at each training session. The perceived requirements of the next match were also measured in each of the competitive weeks. Linear mixed models were run with R Studio to examine the influence of motivation and the perceived difficulty of the next match on perceived mental fatigue, the combined effect of both variables on perceived mental fatigue, and the influence of the passing of the season on perceived mental fatigue. The results showed a negative and significant influence of motivation on perceived mental fatigue (p < 0.001) and a positive and significant influence of the perceived requirements of the next match on perceived mental fatigue (p < 0.001). Regarding the combined effect, there was a positive and significant effect (p < 0.01) of the perceived difficulty of the next match on the relation between motivation and perceived mental fatigue. A negative influence of season passage on perceived mental fatigue levels was found (p < 0.001). We recommended coaches to consider using the most motivating training tasks when higher next-match requirements are perceived and to be careful with avoidance strategies for mental fatigue, especially at the beginning of the season.

Adaptation to spanish and validation of the sport team socialization tactics questionnaire / Adaptación y validación al español del cuestionario de tácticas de socialización para equipos deportivos

The aim of the study was to adapt and validate the Sport Team Socialization Tactics Questionnaire (STSTQ) with amateur and semi-professional Spanish players. The participants were 437 male and female players aged 15 to 39 (M = 21.90; SD = 5.67). Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to test the three-factor structure: coach-initiated role communication tactics, serial socialization tactics and social inclusionary tactics. According to the results, the Spanish version of the STSTQ presented adequate index values in its original factor structure and acceptable internal consistency values. Moreover, the instrument presented adequate discriminating and concurrent validity and proved to be invariant regardless of the competitive level. These results suggest that the Spanish version of the STSTQ is a valid and reliable tool to assess socialization tactics in amateur and semi-professional team sports. (AU)

El objetivo del estudio era adaptar y validar el Cuestionario de Tácticas de Socialización para Equipos Deportivos (en inglés Sport Team Socialization Tactics Questionnarie, STSTQ) con jugadores españoles amateurs y semi-profesionales. Participaron 437 jugadores de fútbol de género masculino y femenino con edades comprendidas entre los 15-39 años (M = 21,90; DT = 5,67). Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio para testar la estructura factorial compuesta por tres factores: tácticas de comunicación del rol del entrenador, tácticas de socialización en serie y tácticas sociales de inclusión. Los resultados mostraron que la versión española del STSTQ demuestra índices adecuados en su estructura factorial original y valores aceptables de consistencia interna. Además, el instrumento presentó una adecuada validez discriminante y concurrente y se mostró invariante en función del nivel competitivo. Estos resultados sugieren que la versión española del STSTQ es una herramienta válida y fiable para medir las tácticas de socialización en deportes colectivos amateurs y semi-profesionales. (AU)

How Does Ball Possession Affect the Physical Demands in Spanish LaLiga? A Multilevel Approach.

Purpose: Using a multilevel approach, this study analyzed the relationship between ball possession and distance covered at different speed sections: total distance (TD), distance covered between 14.1-21 km·h-1 (MIRD), 21.1-24 km·h-1 (HIRD), and > 24.1 km·h-1 (VHIRD). Methods: The sample included 1,520 matches played by 80 Spanish professional soccer teams across four consecutive LaLiga seasons (from 2015/2016 to 2018/2019). Two observations were collected per match, one from each team, resulting in a total of 2,950 records (760 per season). Data were collected using Mediacoach®. Results: At match level (i.e., grand-mean centered), ball possession negatively predicted all distances covered. At team level (i.e., group-mean centered), ball possession negatively predicted total distance covered and distance covered between 14.1-21 km·h-1. Furthermore, cross-level interactions (Match X Team) in ball possession negatively predicted all distances covered at speeds above 14.1 km·h-1. Specifically, in high-possession teams, the negative relationship between match ball possession and distances traveled at all speed ranges above 14.1 km·h-1 was stronger than in teams with medium or low possession. Conversely, match ball possession was positively related todistance covered at low intensities, and negatively related at high intensities in low-possession teams. Conclusion: These findings show practitioners and researchers that the distances covered at different speed ranges depend on technical-tactical parameters such as ball possession.

The relationship between running distance and coaches' perception of team performance in professional soccer player during multiple seasons.

This study analyzed how the physical movement profile of soccer matches evolved throughout a season by assessing the variability of different metrics depending on the season phase. In addition, the evolution of running distances was investigated in the relation to the team performance based on the coaches' perception. Games from four consecutives Spanish LaLiga seasons (n = 1520) were recorded using an optical tracking system (i.e., ChyronHego). Total distance (TD), distance covered between 14 and 21 km h-1 (MIRD), 21-24 km h-1 (HIRD), and > 24 km h-1 (VHIRD) were analyzed, as well as the number of efforts between 21 and 24 km h-1 (Sp21) and > 24 km h-1 (Sp24). Seasons were divided into four phases (P): P1 (matches 1-10), P2 (11-19), P3 (20-29), and P4 (30-38). Linear mixed models revealed that soccer players covered significantly greater distances and completed a higher number of sprints in P2 and P3. Also, team performance evaluated by soccer coaches was positively related to TD, HIRD, VHIRD and Sp21 in P1. A negative relationship was observed between team performance and distance covered at speeds below 21 km h-1 in P2 and P3. Team performance was negatively related to TD, MIRD, and HIRD, and Sp21 in P4. As conclusion, the team performance perceived by coaches is related to the movement profile throughout a season, and it significantly influences the evolution of soccer players' movement profiles. Specifically, it seems that the players of the best teams have the best physical performance at the beginning of the season with respect to the rest of the phases.

Análisis de las acciones técnico-tácticas del portero de fútbol en competición / Analysis of the technical-tactical actions by goalkeeper on football in competition

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar las diferencias en el número y tipo de acciones técnico-tácticas de los porteros en competición en función de la división y de si juegan como local o visitante. Para ello, se han analizado 80 partidos con un total de 160 porteros de 1ª, 2ª, 2ªB y 3ª división española. Los resultados mostraron que no existen diferencias significativas entre el número de acciones medias realizadas por partido en cada división, pero sí se encontraron diferencias significativas en 9 de los 48 gestos técnico-tácticos específicos estudiados. Además, se encontraron pequeñas diferencias en cuanto al número de acciones en función de si los porteros juegan como local o visitante. Por tanto, la principal conclusión de este estudio es la importancia de analizar los tipos de acciones técnico-tácticas de los porteros ya que nos pueden ofrecer información relevante para el entrenamiento y la competición

The present study tries to respond about three different objectives: a) to quantify the number of technical-tactical actions carried out by goalkeepers during matches and to analyze if there are differences between divisions, b) to examine the possible differences in the number and type of technical-tactical actions between divisions under investigation, and c) to analyze the differences between this number and the type of technical-tactical actions when goalkeepers play at home team or away teams . To this end, a viewing was made of the 80 matches of the four most important divisions of Spanish football and a total of 160 goalkeepers were analyzed using the observational methodology. After the application of the tests the H-test of Krustal-Wallis and U of Mann-Whitney, showed no significant differences between the number of average actions performed per game in each division. Only significant differences were found in 9 of the 48 specific technical-tactical gestures studied. So, the first conclusion in this study is the importance of analyzing the types of technical-tactical actions of goalkeepers, due to they can offer relevant information for training and competition

Athletes' perceptions of coaching competency and team conflict in sport teams: A multilevel analysis.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between coaching competency and team conflict, at individual and team levels, over the season. The participants were professional female and male soccer players, who participated in the First and Second Division. A longitudinal study was performed. At Time 1, the sample of participants consisted of 581 soccer players aged between 15 and 39 years. At Time 2, 549 players were recruited from the original sample aged between 15 and 37 years. Finally, at Time 3, the sample comprised 576 players aged between 15 and 37 years. All participants completed a multi-section questionnaire assessing coaching competency (motivation, game strategy, technique competency, and character-building competency) and team conflict (task conflict and relationship conflict). Results showed that both task and relationship conflict increased significantly over time. Multilevel modelling analysis showed that game strategy and character-building competencies negatively predicted both task and relationship conflicts at the individual level, whereas motivation competency was also added as a significant predictor of task conflict at the team level. Moreover, technique competency positively predicted task conflict at the team level. The current study suggests the importance of coaching competency in group dynamics in sport.

Influencia de la formación de los entrenadores sobre la motivación de los deportistas / Influence of coaches training on athletes motivation

El objetivo del estudio era conocer la influencia de las formaciones académica y federativa de los entrenadores sobre los niveles de motivación, diversión, aburrimiento e intención de persistencia en jóvenes deportistas. Para ello, participaron 432 jóvenes con edades entre 10 y 16 años (M = 13,44; DT = 2,92), pertenecientes a disciplinas deportivas individuales (n = 162) y colectivas (n = 270), de género masculino (n = 245) y femenino (n = 187), seleccionados mediante un muestreo por conglomerados. También, participaron 88 entrenadores deportivos, con edades entre los 20 y 56 años (M = 35,79; DT = 9,58). Se llevó a cabo un análisis de diferencias en función de la cualificación académica y federativa de los entrenadores. Los resultados señalaron que los deportistas dirigidos por entrenadores sin formación federativa presentaban mayores niveles de desmotivación. Asimismo, los deportistas entrenados por técnicos sin titulación académica obtuvieron mayores puntuaciones en las regulaciones extrínsecas (identificada y externa). Por tanto, los hallazgos respaldan parcialmente la relevancia de la formación de los entrenadores, obteniéndose diferencias en regulaciones alejadas del máximo nivel de autodeterminación (externa), desmotivación y aburrimiento (AU)

The aim of the study was to examine the influence of the coaches´ academic and federative training on motivation, enjoyment, boredom and intention to persist levels in youth athletes. Participants were 432 youth athletes (male = 245, female = 187) ranged from 10 to 16 years old (M = 13.44; SD = 2.92) who participated in individual (n = 163) and collectives sports (n = 270) selected by cluster sampling. Moreover, 88 sport coaches, ranged from 20 to 56 years old (M = 35,79; SD = 9,58), participated in the study. An analysis of differences with regard to academic and federative coaches´ qualification was conducted. Results revealed that athletes trained by coaches without federative training showed greater amotivation levels. Moreover, individuals trained by coaches without academic qualification had higher scores in extrinsic regulation (identified and external). Therefore, findings partially supported the relevance of coaches’ qualification levels, due to the differences found in some extrinsic regulations (external), amotivation and boredom (AU)

The phenomenon of physical aggression against health service personnel: different perspectives.

The doctor-patient relationship has undergone important changes in recent years. Increasing levels of distrust, on the part of patients towards professionals and institutions, have led to an increase of conflicts resulting in violent actions against health service personnel. The aim of this study is to analyse this phenomenon in the public welfare services of the Region of Murcia (Spain), based on an analysis of accusations, as were presented by doctors in courts in the period between 2006 and April 2008. The conclusion reached can presumably be extrapolated to the rest of Spain. The violent reactions in question resulted from patients demanding drug prescriptions; the prolongation of sick leave and the demand for diagnostic tests. The Public Health Services provide directives to anticipate and avoid such situations, emphasize the training of professionals in communication skills, the promotion of skills of negotiation and emotional self-control. Other measures include the installation of alarms, intercoms and video cameras, contracting security companies, collaboration with the police and posters in health facilities warning that legal action will be taken. Nevertheless, given the obvious inadequacy of the above-mentioned measures, Plans of Prevention have been put in place. In addition legal defence has been granted to all such professionals. From the judicial point of view, these aggressions are judged as minor crimes of injury, insult and threat. The most recent view taken on such conduct is to consider it as a crime of attempt or offence against the authority, which has been confirmed in law by the recent judgment passed down by the Spanish High Court on 4th December, 2007.