The relationship between mindfulness and athletes' mental skills may be explained by emotion regulation and self-regulation.

BACKGROUND: Although numerous psychological determinants of sports success have been identified in the scientific literature, research on the contribution of mindfulness and interoceptive awareness to sports achievements remains limited. This study investigates the relationship between self-reported mental skills determining sports success (i.e., flow state, attention, technique, sensitivity to error, commitment, and achievement), state mindfulness for physical activity (of the mind and the body), and interoceptive awareness (including scales of noticing, not distracting, not worrying, attention regulation, emotional awareness, self-regulation, body listening, and trusting). METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted on a sample of elite athletes in speed skating (n = 54) and university students of physical education (n = 102) representing various sports disciplines and competitive levels. The Sports Success Scale (SSS), the State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity (SMS-PA), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA-2) were used to assess psychological determinants of athletic achievements, state mindfulness, and interoceptive sensitivity, respectively. RESULTS: Our findings indicate some small-to-moderate differences in particular dimensions of psychological traits related to sports success, mindfulness, and interoceptive awareness between athletes of different genders, groups, and competitive levels. A chain mediation model showed that the relationship between body mindfulness and psychological variables determining sports success is fully explained by two dimensions of interoception: self-regulation and attention regulation. CONCLUSIONS: Cultivating the mindfulness state of the body can improve self-regulation and attention regulation, which in turn may increase the mental skills required for successful sports participation. Therefore, mental training should focus primarily on body mindfulness, attention regulation, and self-regulation to improve the mental skills responsible for athletes' sports achievements. In addition, individual differences in athletes' gender, sports discipline, and level of sports competition should be considered during mental training.

The Role of Integration of Sports and Medicine, Training Processes, and Physical Fitness in Athlete Performance and Athlete Sports Success / El papel de la integración del deporte y la medicina, los procesos de entrenamiento y la aptitud física en el rendimiento y el éxito deportivo de los atletas

The success of an athlete is contingent upon their performance, which can be optimally attained through the efficient integration of sports medicine, training, and physical conditioning. This particular element necessitates the focus of researchers, and the current study examines the impact of incorporating sports and medicine, the training regimen, and physical fitness on the athletic performance of individuals within China's sports complex. The researchers additionally investigate the role of athlete performance as a mediator in the relationship between the integration of sports and medicine, the training process, physical fitness, and the success of Chinese athletes in sports. Primary data was collected from athletes in a sports complex in China through the use of questionnaires. The data collected during this study was also analysed using SPSS-AMOS. The findings of the study indicate a significant association between the amalgamation of sports and medicine, the training modality employed, and physical fitness levels with the athletic performance observed within China's sports complex. The findings also indicate that the performance of athletes significantly mediates the association between the integration of sports and medicine, the training process, physical fitness, and the success of Chinese athletes in sports. The available research provides valuable insights for policymakers in developing policies aimed at enhancing the athletic performance of athletes by incorporating elements of sports medicine, training methodologies, and physical fitness.(AU)

What Determines the Competitive Success of Young Croatian Wrestlers: Anthropometric Indices, Generic or Specific Fitness Performance?

Identifying factors influencing wrestling performance is important for determining which capacities should be developed the most. This research aimed to investigate whether anthropometric indices, generic fitness, and specific fitness performance determine the competitive success of young wrestlers. This research included 49 Croatian Greco-Roman male wrestlers aged 17.75 ± 1.51 years. Variables included training and competing experience, anthropometric indices, generic fitness (countermovement jump and handgrip strength), and specific wrestling fitness test (SWFT). Wrestlers were separated into medallists and non-medallists (i.e., wrestlers who won a medal at the previous National Championship and wrestlers who did not win a medal, respectively). The t-test for independent samples was used to determine the differences between the two categories in all variables. Moreover, discriminant analysis was performed to identify differences in a multivariate manner. Medallists and non-medallists did not differ in anthropometric indices and wrestling experience. Medallists had better results in the countermovement jump (t = 2.55, p < 0.01), handgrip strength (t = 2.77, p < 0.01), and SWFT performance (t = 2.29, p < 0.05) than non-medallists. The discriminant analysis confirmed that performance categories differed in generic and specific fitness tests (Wilks' Lambda = 0.73, p < 0.05). It could be suggested that coaches should develop both the generic and specific fitness of their wrestlers to become more successful at competitions.

The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship between Approach Motivational System and Sports Success among Elite Speed Skating Athletes and Physical Education Students.

BACKGROUND: While the association between self-efficacy and sports success has been well established in previous studies, little is known regarding whether the basic approach motivation system contributes to this relationship in athletes. The study examines associations between self-reported temperamental approach disposition, self-efficacy, and predispositions to sports success in athletes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed between August 3 and 30 November 2020. The participants were 156 athletes, aged 16-34 years (M = 21.57, SD = 3.58, 41.67% women), in two groups: 54 elite athletes in speed skating (EASS) and 102 physical education students (PES). The online survey consisted of the Reinforced Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Sports Success Scale (SSS). RESULTS: There were no differences in self-efficacy and sports success in terms of gender, sports discipline, and level of competitions. The Behavioral Activation System (BAS) results were lower in the EASS sample compared with in the PES group. Self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the relationships between BAS and sports success among athletes, with sport discipline as a moderator between BAS and self-efficacy. Sports success in speed skating relies strongly on BAS, while a weak link has been found in other sports disciplines. CONCLUSIONS: BAS is directly correlated to sports success and indirectly related through self-efficacy. Mental training should be focused on maintaining self-efficacy and reward motivation in athletes to increase their sports success.

Are the Player Selection Process and Performance Influenced by Relative Age Effect in Elite Women's Handball?

The relative age effect (RAE) is a phenomenon present in team sports, but it does not influence each gender to the same extent. This study aimed to examine the RAE and its relation to performance in international women's handball competitions (2017/18 World Championships). The sample was composed of 1,096 female players distributed into three categories: youth or under 18 (n = 369); junior or under 20 (n = 328) and senior (n = 399). The teams were divided into four groups based on their final position (medalist, quarter-finalist, eight-finalist and bottom-eight teams). The birthdate distribution (trimesters and semesters) was analysed according to the competition category and the playing position. Differences between the expected and observed birthdate distribution were checked using the chi-square statistical test followed by the calculation of the odds ratio. The results revealed, by trimester, the presence of the RAE in the youth (x2(7) = 87.22; p < 0.001) and junior (x2 (7) = 33.12; p < 0.001) categories, with no impact on senior (p > 0.05). The effect size was relatively strong in the youth category (Vc = 0.48). By semester, the prevalence of the RAE was also found in the senior category (p < 0.05). According to the playing position, the RAE was especially detected in 'goalkeeper' (p < 0.01) and 'centre-back' (p < 0.05) positions, both in U-18 and U-20 categories. Surprisingly, this effect also appeared in the 'back' players in the senior category (p < 0.05). A prevalence of the RAE was identified in teams with a higher final position, but interestingly had a greater impact in the quarter-finalist teams (p < 0.001) than in the medalist teams (p < 0.01). The findings demonstrated that the RAE tends to decrease as the chronological age of players increases, demonstrating a strong presence according to collective performance in international women's handball.

The Role of Athletic Psychology, Athlete Engagement in Athletic Performance and Athletes Sports Success in China: Does Coaching Behavior Moderates? / El papel de la psicología atlética, el compromiso de los atletas en el rendimiento atlético y el éxito deportivo de los atletas en China: ¿Modera el comportamiento el entrenamiento?

Athletes’ sports success is the driving element for the continued success of the sports centers globally and for this reason, has piqued the interest and attention of contemporary scholars and regulators. Thus, the present study investigates into the impact of athletic psychology and athlete engagement on athletic performance and athletic performance impacts on the athletes’ sports success of the sports center in China. This study also examines the mediating impact of athletic performance among the nexus of athletic psychology, athlete engagement and athletes’ sports success and also explores the moderating role of coaching behavior among the nexus of athletic performance and athletes’ sports success. Questionnaires are used to gather the data, and smart-PLS has been used to test the relations among variables. The results have shown thatathletic psychology and athlete engagement have a positive association with athletic performance and athletic performancehas a positive association with athletes’ sports success of the sports centers in China. The results also indicate that athletic performance significantly mediates among the nexus of athletic psychology, athlete engagement and athletes’ sports success while coaching behavior significantly moderates among the nexus of athletic performance and athlete’s sports success.(AU)

The Relative Age Effect and Talent Identification Factors in Youth Volleyball in Poland.

Previous studies in team sports have not reported evidence regarding the relative age effect (RAE) in relation to the talent identification (TI) process in volleyball, which is organized and controlled by a national federation. Volleyball is a non-contact team sport in which a player's physique does not directly affect other players in the game but is considered one of the most critical factors in the TI process. The aims of the present study were (1) to determine the differences in the quarterly distribution of age between Polish youth volleyball players from the Olympic Hopes Tournament (OHT) and the general population, (2) to investigate the quarterly differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor test results in OHT participants, and (3) to identify the criteria that determine selection for the National Volleyball Development Program (NVDP). The present study identified the RAE in young male (n = 2,528) and female (n = 2,441) Polish volleyball players between 14 and 15 years of age who competed in the elite OHT in 2004-2015. The study included anthropometric characteristics, motor test results, and selection for the NVDP. The multivariate analysis of covariance demonstrated no significant main effect for birth quarter or calendar age in any of the OHT female players or in male players selected for the NVDP. In the group of non-selected NVDP male players, the analysis demonstrated significant differences by birth quarter as a covariate for body height (F = 0.01, p < 0.001), spike reach (F = 7.33, p < 0.05), and block jump (F = 0.02, p < 0.001). Significant differences by calendar age as a covariate were observed for body mass (F = 0.53, p < 0.01), spike jump (F = 2.64, p < 0.05), block jump (F = 0.4, p < 0.01), and zigzag agility test results (F = 0.01, p < 0.01). The results showed a significant overrepresentation of early-born participants in the OHT and NVDP subsamples. The classification model demonstrated that a combination of four characteristics optimally discriminated between players selected for the NVDP and those who were not selected. This combination of variables correctly classified 77.7% of the female players and 71.8% of the male players in terms of their selection for the NVDP. The results of this study show that jumping ability and body height are crucial in the TI and selection process in youth volleyball.