While strength is indeed a skill, most discussions have primarily considered structural adaptations rather than ultrastructural augmentation to improve performance. Altering the structural component of the muscle is often the aim of hypertrophic training, yet not all hypertrophy is equal; such alterations are dependent upon how the muscle adapts to the training stimuli and overall training stress. When comparing bodybuilders to strength and power athletes such as powerlifters, weightlifters, and throwers, while muscle size may be similar, the ability to produce force and power is often inequivalent. Thus, performance differences go beyond structural changes and may be due to the muscle's ultrastructural constituents and training induced adaptations. Relative to potentiating strength and power performances, eliciting specific ultrastructural changes should be a variable of interest during hypertrophic training phases. By focusing on task-specific hypertrophy, it may be possible to achieve an optimal amount of hypertrophy while deemphasizing metabolic and aerobic components that are often associated with high-volume training. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to briefly address different types of hypertrophy and provide directions for practitioners who are aiming to achieve optimal rather than maximal hypertrophy, as it relates to altering ultrastructural muscular components, to potentiate strength and power performance.

Background: Compression Tissue Flossing (CTF) is getting more and more popular. However, it is still unclear about the usability and function of CTF. Objective: The main objective was to investigate the current evidence on the function and usability of CTF by doing a systematic review. Methods: A PRISMA checklist was used to write this systematic review. Inclusion criteria; studies that examined CTF and its different effects published 2013-2021. The exclusion criteria were studies that were not published in English. The information sources used in this systematic review was done on PubMed and EBSCO (MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus) and as hand research. The methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale and the AMSTAR. The method used to present the results is by organized tables where the study results are shown.   Results: A total of 25 articles was included in the review. A total of 509 participants (mean age 22,6) was included. The average physiotherapy database score was 56% (range= 18,1%-81,8%). 15 studies were considered as high quality, 10 as low quality. Compression Tissue Flossing showed many different significant effects as increased range of motion, countermovement jump, rate of force development, increased torque, jump height, jump velocity, reduced muscle contraction time, and perception of flexibility. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that compression tissue flossing has a good potential to be used in different contexts of sports performance/medicine. More studies are needed to validate the use of different floss bands and use them in bigger epidemiological settings as it right now seems to lack in its consistency depending on the pressure and application.

Coaches' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about mental health – the construct of mental health literacy (MHL) – affects teams' mental health (MH) climates and the early detection, referral, and treatment of athletes' MH concerns. Thus, assessing collegiate coaches' MHL, and the factors related to its presence, is critical. Using the Mental Health Literacy Scale, I surveyed 1,571 NCAA coaches (Mage = 37.5 years, SD = 11.8; 51.4% cisgender female; 85.9% White) regarding their MHL and related demographic and MH-experience factors, including their belief regarding MH and sport performance. Overall, 99.9% of the coaches believed that athletes' MH affected their sport performances. Through hierarchical regression analyses, I found that coaches' exposure to MH treatment, their perceived helpfulness of MH treatment, their gender (i.e., woman), number of years coaching (i.e., fewer years), and NCAA Division in which they currently coach (i.e., DIII) were related significantly to their MHL, explaining 15.5% of variance. Coaches' race/ethnicity was not related to MHL. These findings provide insight on hiring and educating coaches, and hiring appropriately trained and licensed MH and sport psychology professionals. Specifically, coach education should be focused and practical: signs and symptoms of common MH concerns disorders; the ubiquity of MH concerns among athletes; how to talk to athletes about MH and suicide; and how to make timely, efficient, and respectful referrals following that system's specific procedures. Such education would be particularly beneficial for male coaches or those who have been coaching longer.

Water is arguably the most important nutrient given that even minor deficits lead to performance detriment for athletes and, in a matter of days, total absence causes fatality for all. Despite this, several reports suggest that an overwhelming amount of the athletic population competes and trains in a dehydrated state. The impact of dehydration on leisure sports, such as golf, is less certain given that fine motor skill sports have received less attention in the literature and that existing research on dehydration and golfers is largely limited to males. In this randomized, controlled, crossover pilot experiment, elite female golfers on the Virginia Tech Women’s Golf Team (n=6) completed four laboratory simulated golf holes in both euhydrated and dehydrated states. Euhydration (mean urinary specific gravity [USG]=1.009; range=1.003–1.021) was attained by following the NCAA hydration guidelines, and dehydration (mean USG=1.021; range=1.018–1.026) was attained via a 12 hour overnight fast from fluids. No significant interactions of condition by time for perceived effort, 7-iron distance and accuracy, putting accuracy, reaction time, and executive cognitive function were found between euhydrated and dehydrated states. However, although not significant, euhydrated participants demonstrated improved 7-iron and putting accuracy and reported less perceived effort as compared to performance during their dehydrated state. Based on USG levels, NCAA hydration recommendations may not be adequate to induce a euhydrated state for all athletes. More research is needed with larger sample sizes to further elicit the impact of hydration status on variance in motor and cognitive function for elite golfers. / Masters of Science

Didelio meistriškumo golfo žaidėjų varžybinės veiklos ir fiziologinių poreikių ypatumai sąlygoja ne tik tokio meistriškumo golfo žaidėjų treniravimo modelius, bet ir sudaro galimybes modeliuoti jaunųjų golfo žaidėjų daugiametį rengimą. Nors rengiant jaunuosius golfo žaidėjus taikomos skirtingos žaidimo sąlygos (nešant, traukiant golfo krepšį ir važiuojant golfo mašinėle), tačiau jų poveikis žaidimo kokybei, judėjimo charakteriui ir funkciniam pajėgumui nėra apibrėžtas. Aktuali problema – kokie yra jaunųjų golfo žaidėjų varžybinės veiklos struktūros, lokomocinių ir fiziologinių poreikių ypatumai žaidžiant skirtingomis sąlygomis? Tyrimo objektas – jaunųjų golfo žaidėjų varžybinė veikla ir funkcinis pajėgumas. Tyrimo hipotezė – sunkėjant žaidimo sąlygoms didėja jaunųjų golfo žaidėjų fiziologiniai poreikiai ir kartu blogėja varžybinės veiklos rodikliai. Sunkėjančios žaidimo sąlygos sudaro galimybes gerinti jaunųjų golfo žaidėjų aerobines galias. Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti ir įvertinti jaunųjų golfo žaidėjų varžybinės veiklos struktūros, lokomocinių ir fiziologinių poreikių ypatumus žaidžiant skirtingomis sąlygomis. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti jaunųjų golfo žaidėjų varžybinės veiklos struktūros, lokomocinių ir fiziologinių poreikių rodiklius žaidžiant skirtingomis sąlygomis. 2. Nustatyti ir įvertinti didesnio ir mažesnio meistriškumo jaunųjų golfo žaidėjų varžybinės veiklos struktūros, lokomocinių ir fiziologinių poreikių ypatumus. 3. Nustatyti ir įvertinti jaunųjų golfo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Sport performance indicators and physiological demands of elite golfers are fundamental factors, when youth golfers and their trainers compose training programs (models). Youth golfers practise and play under three different conditions (carrying golf bag, pulling golf bag and using golf power cart), but it is not known what influence these different conditions have on youth golfers’ peculiarities of their sport performance and physiological demands. The problem of the research: what are the peculiarities of the profile (structure) of sport performance and physiological demands in youth golfers? The object of the research was sport performance and physiological demands in selected youth golfers. The hypothesis of the research: youth golfers’ physiological demands will be higher, but sport performance indicators will be worse under more strenuous conditions. Training effect on youth golfers’ aerobic fitness will be higher under more strenuous conditions. The aim of the research was to determine and assess the peculiarities of sport performance and physiological demands in selected youth golfers under three different conditions. Objectives of the research: 1. To determine the sport performance and physiologicl demands indicators in selected youth golfers under three different conditions. 2. To determine and assess the sport performance and physiological demands peculiarities of different skills in selected youth golfers under three different conditions. 3. To determine and... [to full text]

In recent times, the sports sector across the globe has attracted economic interests both from the public and the private sector. For example, the cost of hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil was estimated at over $14.5 billion, with huge investments made intorenovating old stadia and building new ones in preparation for the games. Similarly, the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow generated over 5,000 jobs and apprenticeships for the locals, £200m worth of contracts to local firms, £198m investments in sporting facilities, and £700m worth of transport-related infrastructural development. It is thus clear that sport hasassumed more relevance in society than merely serving the purpose of recreation and leisure such that stakeholders now commit resources into sport performance improvement. Consequently, countries (particularly, those in Europe, Australia and North America) consider the sports sector among the key factors of social and economic development. Given the considerably large youthful population of Nigeria, it is possible to take advantage of sports to advance social and economic wellbeing of the people. It is however regrettable that the Nigerian government does not appear to have realised the potentialopportunities a robust sports economy could provide for a nation in the quest for social, political and economic development. The opportunities provided by sports for social and economic growth will not be fully grasped unless efforts are made to create effective talent development frameworks; unfortunately, anecdotally at least, the reality on the ground suggests that the contrary is the case in Nigeria. Previous research investigating the process of talent identification and development has highlighted a number of features of effective talent development environments. Research informing these guidelines and principles comes from a variety of research activity including understanding the nature of the talent development pathway, the characteristics of successful and developing athletes, the features of effective coaching and support environments, factorsof effective talent transfer, and effective talent development policies. However, it is important to note, that the current TID literature is based predominantly on European, Australian and North American studies. This is particularly important given that there is strong evidence to suggest that TID is culturally and context specific. Certainly the specific context must be taken into consideration when transferring and/or using recommendations (either research orapplied) from one context to another. Since there has been very little work carried out within a Nigerian context, this thesis aims to take a broad examination of the nature of talent identification and development processes within a Nigerian context. This is with the aim of understanding potential barriers to TID and facilitating effective practice to aid successful talent development within Nigeria To address these objectives, three studies were carried out. First, a literature review examined the relevant TID literature in relation to the specific context of TID in Nigeria, taking into account the role(s) of important stakeholders (i.e. coach, parents, teacher, siblings,and peers). Based on the lack of evidence from the Nigerian environment and the exploratory nature of this thesis, three qualitative studies were designed and implemented to examine a broad, in-depth perspective of the nature of athlete and sports development in Nigeria. These three studies included the elite athletes' perspectives of the nature of talent identification and development, the elite coaches' perspectives and finally the community stakeholders' perspectives. A total of 21 participants (i.e. 8 elite athletes, 7 coaches and 6 community stakeholders) were purposefully sampled and interviewed to provide triangulated, and informed perspectives on the specific nature of TID in Nigeria. The data revealed a number of challenges to effective TID in Nigeria including, lack of policy implementation, corruption, poverty, and family resistance, as well as poor infrastructure for sports development. Furthermore, luck played a large role in successfuldevelopment, especially due to the ad hoc nature of access to coaching and supportive people in the community (e.g. head teachers). Interestingly, in case successful development, theextremely challenging circumstances faced by athletes attempting to develop their sporting potentials acted as a mechanism to develop their mental resilience and independence, which facilitated success. Furthermore, findings suggest that widespread cultural practice through early years (e.g. festivals, physical labour) developed a general physicality among Nigerian children, which could serve as bedrock of TID, if the other talent development environmentswere put right.

The aim of this thesis was to analyse results of young horse competition {--} KMK, to examine the differences in the results of particular horse categories, competition results in particular areas and to analyse the results of participants of KMK and particular stallions.

The goal of this diploma thesis is to describe and analyze the pedagogical aspects of coaching in the context of the current offer of study programs for coaches, their professional background and their self-reflection due to their educational mission. To achieve these objectives it is necessary to define sport as such, its types and offers of sports activities for individuals. It is also necessary to define the role of the coach and systematically describe important attributes of the trainer. The analytical part of the paper will focus on the coaches self-reflection due to their educational mission. In this context, the questionnaire will analyze trainers view on their possible educational, or teaching activities. Other important issues that will be analyzed include: coaches view on their activities and the circumstances that affect their educational influence, etc. The final part will be devoted to evaluation of the current state of examined problems.

The purposes of this dissertation were to investigate the acute effects of branched-chain amino acids on psychological, physiological, and subsequent performance changes following high volume resistance training. The rationale for this study design was based on abrupt or contiguous training/ competitions that specific athletes encounter in a competitive season. This study design also sought to fill some gaps in the scientific literature concerning the efficacy of BCAAs for subjective fatigue in a resistance training paradigm. To address the purposes of this dissertation, a one-week study was conducted on resistance trained males, in which half of the subjects were randomly selected to receive BCAAs and the other half was a non-supplement group. The subjects in this study performed two high volume resistance training bouts consisting of squat and bench press (5 sets x 10 repetitions at 95% relative intensity) separated by two days. The physiological variables tested in this study were creatine kinase, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, testosterone, and cortisol. The performance variables tested in this study were static and counter-movement jumps, isometric mid-thigh pull, and Bosco repeated jumps. The primary findings from this study was that subjects in the BCAA group had a statistically significant decrease in muscle damage, indicated by levels of CK. Additionally, there was a statistically significant increase in T:C ratio for the BCAA group compared to the NS group. Concerning performance variables, BCAAs had a small to moderate effect on rate of force development; however, this result was not statistically significant. There were no differences in psychological variables between the groups. Based on the findings of this dissertation, BCAAs mitigate levels of muscle damage and rate of force development. To conclude, BCAAs may provide a competitive advantage for athletes when training volume and competitions become contiguous.

The second (index finger) to fourth (ring finger) digit length ratio (2D:4D) is known to be a putative marker of prenatal exposure to the testosterone. It has been reported that fetal testosterone may be critical for development of morphological and psychological traits such as quality of the cardiovascular system, visuo-spatial ability, risk-taking behavior and behavioral masculinity. Testosterone-driven attributes are associated with success in male-to- male physical competition, which may be proxied by ability in sports. Many studies have found that 2D:4D is sexually dimorphic and low (male-typical) 2D:4D ratio is associated with athletic performance. This study aims to investigate possible associations of performance in sport with 2D:4D ratio, personality characteristics (Big Five model), willing to take risks and training habits, in a sample of 57 top and 57 recreational snowboard racers. We did not find any associations between 2D:4D ratio and sport performance, no significant differences were found in 2D:4D ratio between samples. We found negative associations between agreeableness and sport performance; individuals with low agreeableness achieved higher results in the real competition of freestyle snowboarding. Low agreeableness used to be associated with aggressiveness, emulation and...