RESUMO
The purpose of this study was to better understand the psychological momentum (PM) in varsity cross-country competitive runners during a 3000 m selection trials. A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used: recruitment trial race day (quantitative) and interview day (qualitative + maximal aerobic running speed [MARS]). Sample was consisted of fifteen university distance runners (n = six women [25.9 ± 7.0 years old; 22.2 ± 1.8 BMI] and nine men [23.2 ± 2.4 years old; 22.6 ± 1.6 BMI]). During the recruitment trial race, athletes' MARS was measured and used to create a performance index (PERFI) relative to selected moments. Also, the recruitment trial race was filmed. During the interviews, the recorded film was used to support athletes in the identification of key moments of the race, as well as to discuss positive and negative PM. PM was both defined by participants and devised by three themes: psychological, physiological and psychophysiological change. A significant PERFI difference (p < 0.001) was observed between positive (97.04 ± 5.88%) and negative (108.46 ± 7.76%) moments of PM. The results of PERFI for men and women athletes were not significantly different (p = 0.118). The PERFI standard deviation for women was not correlated (r2 = 0.26, p = 0.30) with the 3000 m time trial performance, but it was significantly correlated for men (r2 = 0.94, p < 0.001). The results of the present study could help developing interventions to focus on specific elements of the momentum such as race management/strategy, the attentiveness of the runner during the race and other elements of mental and physical preparation of the athletes.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess body dissatisfaction among children between 9 and 14 years of age and to examine factors (age, sex, body mass index, perceived shape, and self-esteem) associated with wanting a thinner or a larger shape. STUDY DESIGN: Through at-school questionnaires, 1515 preadolescent children (51.2% girls) were asked to fill out the Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory and the Contour Drawing Rating Scale (body dissatisfaction). Trained assessors then weighed and measured the students individually. RESULTS: Overall, 50.5% of girls wanted a thinner shape compared with 35.9% of boys. More boys wanted a larger shape compared with girls (21.1% vs 7.2%). Most of the preadolescents who were overweight or obese were unsatisfied whereas 58.0% of girls and 41.6% of boys who were underweight were satisfied with their body. Results of a multinomial logistic regression revealed that age, sex, body mass index, perceived shape, and self-esteem were significant correlates of the 4 body dissatisfaction contrasts (wanting a slightly thinner, much thinner, slightly larger, and much larger shape) and explained 50% of the variance. An interaction between sex and perceived shape was found, revealing that girls who perceived themselves as having a larger shape were more likely to desire a thinner shape than boys. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence rate of body dissatisfaction among children suggests that current approaches in our society to prevent problems related to body image must be improved. The different results between girls and boys highlight the need to take into account sex differences when designing prevention programs that aim to decrease body dissatisfaction.
