Background That men are prioritised over women has been called the “gender regime in sport”, and has in part been explained by the gender difference in performance. However, gender differences in physical performance between women and men can be debated to depend on how comparisons are made and on the fact that there are many different confounders that may influence the results. Even if attempts are made to overcome this and the groups of women and men are stated to be matched, there are still often differences in training experience in years, or differences in training load. Women tend to have less experience in ice hockey in relation to age and differences in training conditions have also been reported. The aim of this thesis was to investigate how female and male ice hockey players position themselves in their sport and to visualise the interactions between society and biology that may affect performance. Theoretical approach and methods Harding’s three perspectives (Symbolic, Structural and Individual) were applied on information from team administration as well as on results from questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and tests of puck velocity, anthropometrics, body composition, isokinetic muscle strength, ergospirometry and on-ice tests from female and male ice hockey players. Results Vast differences in structural conditions were found, for example in hockey history and in the financial situation within the teams and both women and men were aware of the gender differences in structural conditions. However these differences were not even considered when comparisons of the ice hockey performance of women and men were made. Nine out of ten female players increased puck velocity when a more flexible stick and a lighter puck were used thus indicating that poorly adjusted equipment may affect performance. Male ice hockey players were taller, heavier and stronger, had more lean body mass and a higher aerobic capacity compared to the women in absolute values as well as in relation to body weight. However, the differences diminished or disappeared when the values were expressed in relation to lean body mass. Men had higher expectations on their situation as athletes and the interviewed women described men’s ice hockey as superior to theirs and consequently male ice hockey players deserved better conditions. Conclusions The views of women and men may affect structural conditions in sport which in turn may affect possibilities in sport for the individual. Gender differences in conditions thus risk confirming the traditional views of femininity and masculinity. However, by moving outside the normal gender boundaries individuals may change the traditional views of femininity and masculinity.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2010. / Härtill 4 uppsatser. Pp. 62-73: Bibliography.

Recent research suggests that adding protein (PRO) to a carbohydrate (CHO) supplement can have substantial benefits for endurance exercise performance and recovery beyond that of CHO alone. CHO+PRO supplements are often commercially available formulations consisting of carbohydrates (dextrose, maltodextrin) and whey protein. The effects of a supplement containing moderate protein and a low-CHO mixture on endurance performance has not been investigated. Also, the effects of CHO+PRO supplementation in the form of a natural food, flavored milk, on measures of recovery from acute endurance exercise, as well as on chronic aerobic exercise training adaptations, have not been characterized. Therefore, in this series of four studies, the effects of CHO+PRO supplementation on the following areas of endurance exercise performance, recovery, and adaptation are investigated: acute endurance exercise performance, inflammatory and muscle damage markers, muscle glycogen resynthesis, activation of signaling proteins involved in the initiation of protein synthesis and degradation, subsequent endurance exercise performance, and chronic aerobic training adaptations (maximal oxygen consumption, oxidative enzyme activity, body composition, immune cell levels, and inflammatory markers). Study 1 demonstrated that a supplement containing a low-CHO mixture plus moderate protein significantly improved aerobic endurance when cycling at or below the ventilatory threshold, despite containing 50% less CHO and 30% fewer calories relative to a higher CHO beverage. Study 2 demonstrated that CHO+PRO supplementation in the form of chocolate milk (CM) is an effective post-exercise supplement that can improve subsequent performance and provide a greater intracellular signaling stimulus for protein synthesis compared to CHO and placebo. Study 3 found that post-exercise CM supplementation during 4.5 wks of aerobic exercise training improves the magnitude of cardiovascular adaptations more effectively than isocaloric CHO or placebo, while the fourth study demonstrated that post-exercise CM supplementation during 4.5 wks of aerobic training improves body composition more effectively than isocaloric CHO or placebo. The fourth study also demonstrated that 4.5 wks of training does not appear to perturb resting immune cell concentrations or markers of inflammation and muscle damage. Taken together, the results of this research series suggest that CHO+PRO supplementation extends endurance performance, improves recovery, and increases training adaptations more effectively than CHO or placebo. / text

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos de um microciclo de treinamento intensivo (8 dias), associado ou não à suplementação com carboidratos (CHO), sobre parâmetros metabólicos, hormonais, marcadores de lesão tecidual e estoques de lipídios intramiocelulares em corredores de longa distância. Os efeitos cumulativos desse período de treinamento intensivo e da suplementação com CHO também foram analisados sobre uma sessão de exercício intermitente de alta intensidade e performance atlética (9º dia). Participaram do estudo 24 corredores de longa distância do sexo masculino com 28,0±1,3 anos de idade. Os corredores foram distribuídos em dois grupos (grupo CHO ou grupo controle - CON). No grupo CHO, após treinamento intensivo, foram aumentadas as concentrações dos lipídios intramiocelulares (+0,0061±0,0022 e +0,0008±0,0043 vs. CON: -0,0091±0,0053 e -0,0224±0,0151; dos músculos tibial anterior e sóleo, respectivamente), da testosterona total (694,0±54,6 ng/dL vs. CON: 610,8±47,9 ng/dL) e de sua fração livre (552,7±49,2 pmol/L vs. CON: 395,7±36,6 pmol/L). No 9º dia o protocolo consistiu em uma sessão de 10 séries de 800m (100%Vm3km), com pausa de 1min 30s entre as séries. Antes e após a sessão os atletas realizaram teste máximo de 1.000m. A queda no desempenho do 2º teste de 1.000m foi menor no grupo CHO (5,3±1,0%) vs. 10,7±1,3% no CON. As concentrações de glicose, lactato, epinefrina, cortisol e GH aumentaram após as 10x800m em ambos os grupos. No entanto, essa resposta foi atenuada no grupo CHO para cortisol (22,4±0,9 pmol/L vs. CON: 27,6±1,4 pmol/L) e GH (21,8±5,6 ng/mL vs. CON: 36,7±5,0 ng/mL). Ainda após as 10x800m, as concentrações de LDH e DNA livre foram menores no grupo CHO (509,2±23,1 U/L e 48.240,3±5.431,8 alelos/mL) quando comparadas às do grupo CON (643,3±32,9 U/L e 73.751,8±11.546,6 alelos/ mL, respectivamente). Durante o período de recuperação, a diminuição do cortisol, associada às maiores glicemias e insulinemias no grupo CHO, pode ter resultado em efeito anabólico e atenuação da resposta inflamatória. Conclui-se que a suplementação com CHO atenuou a supressão do eixo hipotalâmico-pituitáriogonadal, além de promover melhora do desempenho atlético, aumento dos estoques de lipídios intramiocelulares e menores respostas catabólicas e dos marcadores de dano tecidual / This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intensive microcycle training (8days), with and without CHO supplementation, on the metabolic and hormonal responses of long distance runners. Markers for tissue damage and intramyocellular lipid stores were also investigated, along with the cumulative effects of this kind of CHO supplementation on a further session of high intensity intermittent running and athletic performance (day9). The study included 24 male long distance runners with a mean age of 28.0±1.3 years. The runners were divided into two groups (CHO (supplementation) and CON (control)). In the CHO group, the intramyocellular lipids (+0.0061 ± 0.0022 + 0.0008 ± 0.0043 and vs. CON: -0.0091 ± 0.0053 and -0.0224 ± 0.0151; for the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles, respectively) total testosterone (694.0± 54.6 ng/dL vs CON: 610.8±47.9 ng/dL) and its free fraction (552.7±49.2 pmol/L vs CON: 395.7±36.6 pmol/L) were increased after intensive training. On the 9th day all participants ran 10X800m at 100% Vm3km intensity. An all-out 1000m run was performed before and after the 10X800m session and it was noted that the performance decrease for the second 1000m was lower for the CHO-group (5.3±1.0% vs. CON: 10.6±1.3%). Glucose, lactate, epinephrine, cortisol and GH concentrations increased after 10x800m in both groups, but an attenuated response was noted for the CHO group for cortisol (22.4±0.9 pmol/L vs. CON: 27.6±1.4 pmol/L) and GH (21.8±5.6 ng/mL vs. CON: 36.7± 5.0 ng/mL). Moreover, the LDH and free plasma DNA concentrations were lower in the CHO group (509,2±23,1 U/L e 48.240,3±5.431,8 Allels/mL) compared to the CON group ((643,3±32,9 U/L e 73.751,8±11.546,6 Allels / mL, respectively) after the 10X800m run. During the recovery period, the observed lower cortisol response in the CHO group as well as to the higher glucose and insulin concentrations may have resulted in better anabolic effects and attenuation of inflammantion response. This may be linked to. In conclusion CHO supplementation attenuates the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonodal axis, and result in better physical performance, higher levels of intramyocellular lipid stores, and lower catabolic responses and levels of markers for tissue damage

Submitted by Geandra Rodrigues (geandrar@gmail.com) on 2018-08-23T10:48:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 alineaparecidadesouzaribeiro.pdf: 1327268 bytes, checksum: 2e758e27cd69a378e786f04183a4ce2e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2018-08-28T12:38:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 alineaparecidadesouzaribeiro.pdf: 1327268 bytes, checksum: 2e758e27cd69a378e786f04183a4ce2e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-28T12:38:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 alineaparecidadesouzaribeiro.pdf: 1327268 bytes, checksum: 2e758e27cd69a378e786f04183a4ce2e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-09 / O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o efeito agudo do pré-condicionamento isquêmico (PCI) sobre a performance do Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) de atletas de alto rendimento. A amostra foi composta por 17 atletas faixa preta, marrom e roxa de judô (idade=21,35±3,46 anos; tempo de prática=8,94±3,88 anos; estatura=173±9 cm; massa corporal= 69,34±10,94 Kg; IMC=23,10±2,49 Kg/m²; %GC=18,75±7,41) que foram submetidos a três sessões com intervalos de 72 horas. Na primeira sessão, os voluntários assinaram o TCLE, responderam ao PAR-Q, foi realizada a avaliação antropométrica, a familiarização do SJFT e os esclarecimentos sobre o PCI. Na segunda e terceira sessões, foram realizados dois protocolos experimentais de forma randomizada: a) PCI (3 ciclos x 5 min. isquemia a 220 mmHg / 5 min. de reperfusão a 0 mmHg) + SJFT e b) SHAM (20 mmHg) + SJFT. Foi respeitado um intervalo de trinta minutos entre os protocolos experimentais e o SJFT. Foram realizados testes estatísticos de homogeneidade de variância e teste t de Student para verificar possíveis diferenças entre os grupos PCI e SHAM com relação à série (A), a série (B) e (C), ao número total de arremessos (A+B+C), a FC imediatamente e 1 minuto após o SJFT e o índice do SJFT. Para avaliação da significância, foi adotado p ≤ 0,05. A magnitude da diferença entre as condições PCI e SHAM foi avaliada usando o tamanho do efeito de Cohen’s (d). Os resultados indicam que o grupo PCI realizou maior número significativo de arremessos na série (A) do SJFT (p=0,004; d=0,50; efeito moderado) comparado ao SHAM. Ao analisarmos o número total de arremessos (A+B+C) encontramos diferença significativa entre os grupos PCI e SHAM (p=0,001; d=0,37; efeito pequeno). No índice do SJFT foi observada diferença significativa entre PCI e SHAM (p=0,001; d=0,50; efeito moderado). Os achados sugerem que o PCI melhorou a performance de atletas de judô de alto rendimento, particularmente devido a redução do índice do SJFT. / The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on the performance of the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) of high performance athletes. The sample was composed by 17 black belt, Brown belt and purple belt at the judo athletes (age = 21.35 ± 3.46 years, practice time = 8.94 ± 3.88 years, height = 173 ± 9 cm, body mass = 69.34 ± 10.94 kg, BMI = 23.10 ± 2.49 kg / m²,% GC = 18.75 ± 7.41) that were submitted to three sessions at 72 hour intervals. In the first session the volunteers signed the ICF, answered the PAR-Q, anthropometric evaluation, the familiarization of the SJFT and were clarified about the IPC. In the second and third sessions, two experimental protocols were performed in a randomized, crossover design: a) IPC (cycles 3 x 5 min ischemia at 220 mmHg / 5 min reperfusion at 0 mmHg) + SJFT and b) SHAM (20 mmHg) + SJFT. The interval between the experimental protocols and the SJFT was thirty minutes. Statistical tests of variance homogeneity and Student's t test were performed to verify possible differences between the IPC and SHAM groups in relation to the series (A), the series (B) and (C), to the total number of throws (A + B + C), the HR immediately and 1 minute after SJFT and SJFT index. For the evaluation of the level of significance, p ≤ 0.05 was adopted. The magnitude of the difference between IPC and SHAM conditions was assessed using the effect size (d Cohen's). The results indicate that the IPC performed a larger number of throws in the SJFT series (A) (p = 0.004, d = 0.50, moderate effect) compared to SHAM. When we analyzed the total number of throws (A + B + C) we found a significant difference between the IPC and SHAM groups (p = 0.001, d = 0.37, small effect). The SJFT index showed a significant difference between IPC and SHAM (p = 0.001, d = 0.50, moderate effect). The findings suggest that IPC improved the performance of high performance judo athletes, particularly due to the reduction of the SJFT index.

Aim and research questions: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rapid weight loss (RLW) in relation to physiological aspects, psychological aspects, and sport specific performance through a systematic review. This study further aimed to investigate what methods are being used when studying the effects of RWL. To examine the above the following research questions have been used: what physiological and psychological effects can be found in concurrence with RWL, how does the effects of RWL impact sports performance, and what methods are recurrently being used when studying the effects of RWL? Method: For this purpose a systematic review was conducted using three databases; PubMed, Cochrane Library, and SPORTDiscus. Out of 1163 screened articles 20 of them were included in the review. Further analysis was conducted using Forsberg & Wengströms quality evaluation for quantitative studies screening form and the Swedish agency for health technology assessment and assessment of social services Risk of systematic bias screening form. Results were later summarized and compiled. Result: The most evident finding was that the athletes suffer from dehydration with significantly elevated levels of Urine Specific Gravity, USG. In addition the utilization of RWL also have a negative impact on both cognitive functions and mood, it affects important central factors such as reaction time. However many of the negative physiological effects have been show to subside after 4-12 hours if adequate recovery measures are implemented. The foremost evident sport specific finding was a maintained or increased relative anaerobic peak power. Furthermore positive results in maintaining performance for factors such as; Counter Movement-Jump, clean, snatch, judo specific test, and balance test. Conclusion: Although athletes were found dehydrated performance was still maintained in sport specific factors. However, this systematic review also found an overall lack of quality within the studies conducted. Sufficient scientific evidence was not found to draw reliable conclusions, additional studies of higher quality are needed for future reviews. / Syfte och frågeställningar: Studiens syfte var att göra en systematisk granskning kring effekterna av snabb viktreducering (RWL) kopplat till fysiologiska aspekter, psykologiska aspekter, och idrottsspecifik prestation. Studien strävar sedermera efter att undersöka vilka metoder som vanligtvis används för att studera RWL. För detta användes följande frågeställningar: Vilka fysiologiska och psykologiska effekter kan påträffas i samband med RWL, samt hur påverkar effekter av RWL idrottsprestation, vilka metoder används återkommande för att studera effekterna av RWL? Metod: En systematisk granskning har utförts i tre databaser: PubMed, Cochrane Librairy, och SPORTDiscus. Utav 1163 screenade artiklar inkluderades 20 stycken i granskningen. Vidare analys bedrevs med Forsberg & Wengströms kvalitetsgranskning för kvantitativa studier-formulär samt Statens beredning för medicinsk och social utvärderings Risk för systematisk bias-formulär. Resultaten summerades sedan och sammanställdes. Resultat: Det tydligaste resultatet var att idrottarna lider av uttorkning och signifikant förhöjda nivåer av Urine Specific Gravity, USG. Dessutom har nyttjandet av RWL negativ inverkan på både kognitiva funktioner och humör, det påverkar viktiga centrala faktorer som reaktionstid. Däremot har många av de negativa fysiologiska faktorerna avtagit efter 4-12 timmar om adekvata återhämtningsmetoder implementerats. Det främsta idrottsspecifika fyndet var en bibehållen relativ anaerob peak power. Därutöver syntes fler positiva resultat bibehållen prestation hos faktorer såsom; counter movement-jump, frivändningar, ryck, judospecifika tester, och balanstester. Slutsats: Trots att utövarna var dehydrerade bibehölls prestation i sportspecifika faktorer. Denna systematiska granskning fann emellertid också en övergripande bristande kvalitet inom de genomförda studierna. Tillräckliga vetenskaplig evidens har inte visat för att konkludera tillförlitliga slutsatser, ytterligare studier av högre kvalitet behövs för framtida granskningar.

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos de um microciclo de treinamento intensivo (8 dias), associado ou não à suplementação com carboidratos (CHO), sobre parâmetros metabólicos, hormonais, marcadores de lesão tecidual e estoques de lipídios intramiocelulares em corredores de longa distância. Os efeitos cumulativos desse período de treinamento intensivo e da suplementação com CHO também foram analisados sobre uma sessão de exercício intermitente de alta intensidade e performance atlética (9º dia). Participaram do estudo 24 corredores de longa distância do sexo masculino com 28,0±1,3 anos de idade. Os corredores foram distribuídos em dois grupos (grupo CHO ou grupo controle - CON). No grupo CHO, após treinamento intensivo, foram aumentadas as concentrações dos lipídios intramiocelulares (+0,0061±0,0022 e +0,0008±0,0043 vs. CON: -0,0091±0,0053 e -0,0224±0,0151; dos músculos tibial anterior e sóleo, respectivamente), da testosterona total (694,0±54,6 ng/dL vs. CON: 610,8±47,9 ng/dL) e de sua fração livre (552,7±49,2 pmol/L vs. CON: 395,7±36,6 pmol/L). No 9º dia o protocolo consistiu em uma sessão de 10 séries de 800m (100%Vm3km), com pausa de 1min 30s entre as séries. Antes e após a sessão os atletas realizaram teste máximo de 1.000m. A queda no desempenho do 2º teste de 1.000m foi menor no grupo CHO (5,3±1,0%) vs. 10,7±1,3% no CON. As concentrações de glicose, lactato, epinefrina, cortisol e GH aumentaram após as 10x800m em ambos os grupos. No entanto, essa resposta foi atenuada no grupo CHO para cortisol (22,4±0,9 pmol/L vs. CON: 27,6±1,4 pmol/L) e GH (21,8±5,6 ng/mL vs. CON: 36,7±5,0 ng/mL). Ainda após as 10x800m, as concentrações de LDH e DNA livre foram menores no grupo CHO (509,2±23,1 U/L e 48.240,3±5.431,8 alelos/mL) quando comparadas às do grupo CON (643,3±32,9 U/L e 73.751,8±11.546,6 alelos/ mL, respectivamente). Durante o período de recuperação, a diminuição do cortisol, associada às maiores glicemias e insulinemias no grupo CHO, pode ter resultado em efeito anabólico e atenuação da resposta inflamatória. Conclui-se que a suplementação com CHO atenuou a supressão do eixo hipotalâmico-pituitáriogonadal, além de promover melhora do desempenho atlético, aumento dos estoques de lipídios intramiocelulares e menores respostas catabólicas e dos marcadores de dano tecidual / This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intensive microcycle training (8days), with and without CHO supplementation, on the metabolic and hormonal responses of long distance runners. Markers for tissue damage and intramyocellular lipid stores were also investigated, along with the cumulative effects of this kind of CHO supplementation on a further session of high intensity intermittent running and athletic performance (day9). The study included 24 male long distance runners with a mean age of 28.0±1.3 years. The runners were divided into two groups (CHO (supplementation) and CON (control)). In the CHO group, the intramyocellular lipids (+0.0061 ± 0.0022 + 0.0008 ± 0.0043 and vs. CON: -0.0091 ± 0.0053 and -0.0224 ± 0.0151; for the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles, respectively) total testosterone (694.0± 54.6 ng/dL vs CON: 610.8±47.9 ng/dL) and its free fraction (552.7±49.2 pmol/L vs CON: 395.7±36.6 pmol/L) were increased after intensive training. On the 9th day all participants ran 10X800m at 100% Vm3km intensity. An all-out 1000m run was performed before and after the 10X800m session and it was noted that the performance decrease for the second 1000m was lower for the CHO-group (5.3±1.0% vs. CON: 10.6±1.3%). Glucose, lactate, epinephrine, cortisol and GH concentrations increased after 10x800m in both groups, but an attenuated response was noted for the CHO group for cortisol (22.4±0.9 pmol/L vs. CON: 27.6±1.4 pmol/L) and GH (21.8±5.6 ng/mL vs. CON: 36.7± 5.0 ng/mL). Moreover, the LDH and free plasma DNA concentrations were lower in the CHO group (509,2±23,1 U/L e 48.240,3±5.431,8 Allels/mL) compared to the CON group ((643,3±32,9 U/L e 73.751,8±11.546,6 Allels / mL, respectively) after the 10X800m run. During the recovery period, the observed lower cortisol response in the CHO group as well as to the higher glucose and insulin concentrations may have resulted in better anabolic effects and attenuation of inflammantion response. This may be linked to. In conclusion CHO supplementation attenuates the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonodal axis, and result in better physical performance, higher levels of intramyocellular lipid stores, and lower catabolic responses and levels of markers for tissue damage

Name: Development and comparison of performance in athletic disciplines in certain classes at primary school Author: Karolína Procházková Department: Department of Physical Education Supervisor: PhDr. PaedDr. Ladislav Kašpar, Ph.D. ABSTRACT The master thesis is about development and comparison pupil's athletic performance from 1st, 2nd and 3rd class at primary school. Performance is compared according to the results of athletic disciplines - 50 meters run, long jump and throw. The thesis compares performance in classes, looking for differences between boys and girls. It also focuses on differences between classes and other improvements. KEYWORDS Younger school age, primary school, athletics, athletic performance, athletic disciplines

Syftet med den föreliggande studien var att undersöka rollen av prestationsångest och ältande mellan dispositionell mindfulness och självskattad prestation. Det var totalt 53 idrottare (22 kvinnor, 31 män; Målder = 29.32, SD = 12.28 år) från 18 olika idrotter som deltog i studien. Studien var av kvantitativ longitudinell design (tre tillfällen under en fyra veckors period) där den oberoende variabeln, den beroende variabeln och två möjliga mediatorer undersöktes med hjälp av Athletic Mindfulness Questionnaire, Sport Performance Questionnaire, Sport Anxiety Scale-2, och Rumination Reflection Questionnaire. Resultaten visade ingen signifikant indirekt effekt av dispositionell mindfulness på självskattad prestation genom varken ältande eller prestationsångest. Resultaten indikerar att ältande och prestationsångest inte medierar förhållandet mellan dispositionell mindfulness och självskattad prestation i det undersökta urvalet. Det diskuteras att mindfulness ändrar förhållandet idrottaren har med ångesten istället för att sänka den upplevda nivån av ångest. Forskning om ältande som en mediator mellan mindfulness och prestation diskuteras som sällsynt, vilket kan göra kunskapen om förhållandet otillräckligt för att göra några bestämda uttalanden. Resultaten bör tolkas med försiktighet med tanke på att undersökningen gjordes på en heterogen grupp av idrottare med en subjektiv mått av prestation. Vidare forskning bör fokusera på en bestämd grupp och använda mer objektiva mått på prestation, samt använda ett idrottsspecifik instrument för att mäta ältande. Nyckelord: prestationsångest, dispositionell mindfulness, idrottsprestation, idrottare / The purpose of this study was to examine the role of sport-trait anxiety and rumination in the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and self-assessed performance. A total of 53 athletes (22 women, 31 men; Mage = 29.32, SD = 12.28 years) from 18 different sports participated. A quantitative longitudinal design (three-time measures within a four-week period) was conducted wherein the independent and dependent variables, as well as the two potential mediators were measured using Athletic Mindfulness Questionnaire, Sport Performance Questionnaire, Sport Anxiety Scale-2, and Rumination Reflection Questionnaire. The results showed no significant indirect effect of dispositional mindfulness on self-assessed performance through neither sporttrait anxiety nor rumination. These findings indicate that sport-trait anxiety and rumination do not mediate the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and self-assessed performance in the examined sample. Mindfulness is discussed as altering the athlete’s relationship with anxiety rather than lowering the perceived levels of anxiety. Since research on rumination as a mediator between mindfulness and performance is very scarce, the knowledge about the relationship might be insufficient to make any decisive statements. Findings are to be taken with caution given the heterogeneous sample of athletes considered and the use of a subjective measure of performance. Further research should focus on a more targeted group and use a more objective performance measure, as well as a sport-specific rumination scale. Keywords: sport-specific anxiety, dispositional mindfulness, athletic performance, athlete

The involvement of youth in the sport of weightlifting and the use of weightlifting methods as part of training for youth sport performance appears to be increasing. Weightlifting for children and adolescents has been criticized in some circles and is a controversial aspect of resistance training for young people. Although injuries can occur during weightlifting and related activities, the incidence and rate of injury appear to be relatively low and severe injury is uncommon. A number of performance, physical, and physiological variables, such as body composition, strength, and power, are improved by weightlifting training in children, adolescents, and young athletes. Manipulating program variables, when appropriate, can have a substantial and profound influence on the psychological, physiological, physical, and performance aspects of weightlifters. An understanding of the sport, scientific training principles, and musculoskeletal growth development is necessary to properly construct a reasonable and appropriate training program. A scientific background aids in providing an evidenced basis and sound rationale in selecting appropriate methods and directing adaptations toward more specific goals and enables the coach to make choices about training and competition that might not otherwise be possible. If weightlifting training and competition are age group appropriate and are properly supervised, the sport can be substantially safe and efficacious.