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Article in press
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The Athletic Intelligence Quotient and Performance in the National Football League
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Abstract [+]
Introduction
In the realm of competitive athletics, numerous variables have been examined for predictive utility with respect to player selection/development and outcomes on the field. Notwithstanding important advances, the current predictors only account for a modest amount of variance in outcomes of relevance in the National Football League (NFL).
Objective
The primary objective of this study was to investigate the predictive validity of a new measure of athletic intelligence, the Athletic Intelligence Quotient (AIQ), which is based on the empirically supported Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) Theory of Intelligence. The predictive validity of the AIQ was determined in relation to performance metrics from 146 NFL players across several seasons.
Results
Hierarchical regression analyses indicate that specific AIQ factors accounted for a statistically significant increase in the explanation of variance beyond the current level of evaluation for several performance metrics (e.g., career approximate value; sacks, tackles, rushing yards). Further, specific factors of the AIQ are related to position specific statistics, offering the possibility that performance prediction can be focused in for the specific skills required by a given position.
Discussion
Given the recent impact of analytics in professional sports, and the significant findings noted in the current investigation, the authors discuss the potential importance of the AIQ in the selection and coaching processes.
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The Effects of Societal and Structural Barriers on Participation among Individuals with Physical Disabilities
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The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that the more than 53 million people living with a physical disability in the United States to participate in regular physical activities consisting of both aerobic and anaerobic components, if possible. Also, if individuals with physical disabilities are unable to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, they are encouraged to do as much as their physical disability permits. Despite the recommended guidelines, several individuals with physical disabilities do not participate in regular physical activities. Prior research suggests that several societal and structural barriers in sport and exercise environments often negatively affect individuals with physical disabilities. Thus, it is essential for family members, healthcare practitioners, rehabilitation/recreational teams, and community leaders to encourage individuals with physical disabilities to conquer barriers that restrict participation.
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Current Issue
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A System or Method of Analysis for Injury Prevention in Sports, Youth Fastpitch Softball Pitchers: A Pilot Study
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Background
The prevalence of softball injuries in young pitchers is increasing with more injuries in the upper extremity in the beginning of the season.
Research Question
Calculate the forces generated during the pitching motion of female youth pitchers at four main areas: the stride, hips, shoulder, and wrist for 2 groups. R1: u1≠u2.
Study Design
Pilot study, Cross-sectional design.
Level of Evidence
Level-2, Strength-B.
Methods
This study included a total of 15 female youth fastpitch softball pitchers (mean age, 14.33-years; mean weight, 59.01 kg) recruited to participate during the Fall Softball League (2014). Divided into two groups: 270° hip rotation group vs. a projected 360° hip rotation group.
Results
A paired sample t-test showed that the 2 groups (270° hip rotation and projected 360° hip rotation) were strongly and positively correlated (r=0.993, p<0.001). There was a significant average difference between 270° hip rotation and the projected 360° hip rotation forces (t14=12.996, p<0.001). On average, the projected 360° hip rotation forces were 580.68 N higher than 270° hip rotation forces (95% CI [676.51, 484.84].
Conclusion
The Current Method (CM) of pitching clearly uses the shoulder as the driving force of the pitch, as pitchers created 467.96 N of force at the shoulder. Pitchers who used 270° hip rotation produced an average of 147.33 N at the hip while these same individuals can create an average of 589.30 N with full hip rotation.
Clinical Relevance
Pitchers using the CM of pitching generated an average of 468 N of force at the shoulder. Identifying interruptions in the kinetic chain is the key to reducing injuries. This is accomplished by creating the ideal kinetic chain and teaching it through a certified pitching coach program. Once identified, interruptions can be modified and changed through exercises to strengthen and improve the kinetic chain.
Keywords
Softball injury prevention; Fastpitch softball; Windmill pitch; Female youth pitchers; Windmill biomechanics.
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Challenges and Practices in the Implementation of Coaching Manuals in Selected Youth Handball Coaching Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Objective
The aim of this study was to assess challenges and current practices in implementation of coaching manuals in selected Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia youth handball coaching program.
Methods
The study was employed a descriptive survey research method. Ten sample youth projects were selected, from twenty-four youth handball projects using stratified and purposive sampling technique. Thus, the samples of this study were 50 players, 10 coaches and 32 sport administrative officials. The data was collected through questionnaire and observation checklist and thus, analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods by describing statements and frequency counts and percentages.
Results
The findings of the study indicated that, lack of coordination work among the concerned stakeholders, due to financial scarcity; unavailability of adequate training materials and equipment, and the selection of trainees conducted just randomly without clearly stated criteria. Lack of suitable and standardized handball courts in the area and less emphasis given to maintain even the existing ones, the existed manual was not well designed and modified based on the trainee’s age level since similar manual for both sex. Due to monitoring were limited to certain sport expertise, here were no concerned bodies in charge of finding immediate solutions to the problem that were faced by the coaches and trainees. Furthermore, due to lack of awareness of communities, trainee families did not support the training program.
Conclusion
This kind of implementations revealed that was exposed to failure to solve the confronted challenges. Therefore, attention must be paid to the availability of sport infrastructures and qualified human resources should be employed. In addition, special attention must be given to acquiring and developing resource material such as manuals and coaching kits, which may assist in improving knowledge and advancing the technical skills of sport experts and coaches.
Keywords
Handball; Program; Trainee; Coaching manual; Challenges; Coach; Implementation.
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Contributions to Global Self-Esteem: Domain Specific Self Perceptions in Athletes Vs. Non-Athletes
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Objective
The objective of the present study was to examine the influence of social self-concept and physical self-worth on global self-esteem in college athletes compared to their non-competing peers. It was hypothesized that the unique contribution of each variable on self-esteem would be markedly different between the groups.
Methods
In a population of 146 undergraduate students, regression analyses revealed significant relationships between the domain-specific self-perceptions and global self-esteem in both groups. It was determined, however, that athletes and non-athletes differed in the distribution of variance explained by the variables. Specifically, the variance in self-esteem in athletes was attributed exclusively to physical self-worth while non-athletes revealed unique contributions from both social self-concept as well as physical self-worth.
Results and Conclusion
The results of the present study may be meaningful from the perspective of athletic identity and retirement from sport. Further investigation is warranted, both qualitatively and quantitatively, that may assist in developing strategies to ease the transition from participating athlete to non-competitive participation. An additional area of interest may be in examining the relationship between the domain-specific self-perceptions and psychological risk for, and impact of, athletic injury.
Keywords
Self-esteem; Athletes; Social self-concept; Physical self-worth; Non-athletes.
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The Roles of Physical Activity in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Implications for Sub-Saharan Africa
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Background
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia which is due to reduced insulin secretion and/or action. It has 6 sub-classes but type 2 is the most common. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising at a very high rate in the sub-Saharan Africa region. Prevention is however better than cure and there are multiple pieces of evidence of the highest level that type 2 diabetes is preventable. Prevention of type 2 diabetes is looked at from the perspectives of primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary prevention.
Methods
Measures that have been documented in the literature that can be adopted in the prevention of diabetes include lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy and surgical interventions. Lifestyle modification is the most commonly reported measure and physical activity is a central focus in lifestyle modification. Physical activity refers to all body movements that lead to expenditure of energy above the resting level. Exercise is a structured and monitored subset of physical activity. Physical activity has been documented to help in the primordial prevention of type 2 diabetes for children born to a woman with gestational diabetes. It helps in modifying risk factors for diabetes such as obesity, dyslipidaemia and high blood pressure.
Conclusion
It is also valuable for secondary prevention of diabetes by modifying risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, excess calorie intake and lipids. Physical activity plays a central role in the management of a patient diagnosed with diabetes at the level of secondary prevention. Effective rehabilitation of patients with type 2 diabetes who have suffered macrovascular complications would constitute a tertiary level of prevention. Since physical activity is an effective, affordable and available form of preventing type 2 diabetes sub-Saharan Africa where the population has limited resources can leverage on its cost-effectiveness. This will help to improve longevity and improve the quality of life of people and save scarce resources in the region.
Keywords
Physical activity; Type 2 diabetes; Prevention; Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Adoption of Change: A Systematic Review of the Transtheoretical Model
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Introduction
Sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for life-altering comorbidities. Though the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have provided guidelines, 80% of Americans do not get the recommended physical activity (PA) dose per day. Motivation continues to be an important and elusive factor to effect change.
Purpose
Assess the available evidence regarding the application of the transtheoretical model and stages of change theory (TTM-SOC) in the last 10-years to behavior changes for PA.
Methods
Databases including PSYCInfo, ERIC, CINAHL, EBM, DARE, and OVID, were searched with the following key search terms: “Lifestyle Changes” OR “Lifestyle” OR “Active Living” OR “Lifestyle Changes” OR “Physical Activity” OR “Actigraphy” OR “Exercise” OR “Activity Level” AND “Transtheoretical Model” OR “Stages of Change”. Seventy-nine studies fit the inclusion criteria and were assessed for quality and validity using the PEDrO scale for experimental studies and the specialist unit for review evidence (SURE) for cohort investigations.
Results
Of the five (5) interventional studies included, none used all four components of the TTM-SOC, namely, stages of change, decisional balance, processes of change and self-efficacy. Observational studies were assessed with eleven (11) classified as observational analytical and nineteen (19) as observational descriptive.
Conclusion
None of the investigations assessed the full TTM-SOC. As such, there can be no definitive conclusions with regard to the effectiveness of stage-matched interventions to promote a change from sedentary lifestyle to adoption of PA. There is a need for more rigorous research to test the application of TTM-SOC with both physiologic and quantitative measures for PA.
Keywords
Systematic review; Transtheoretical model; Stage of change; Physical activity.
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The Relationship between Pre-Season Testing Performance and Playing Time among NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Athletes Over a Competitive Season: A Pilot Analysis
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Sports Science Data Protocol
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Previous Issue
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Changes in Blood Bone Metabolism Markers with Oat Bran Consumption and Brisk Walking Exercise in Middle Age Hypercholesterolemic Women
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Purpose
To investigate the additional beneficial effects of combined oat bran consumption and brisk walking exercise compared to oat bran consumption alone on bone metabolism markers in 40 to 50 years-old hypercholesterolemic women.Methods
Thirty-three hypercholesterolemic women participants aged 40 to 50-years-old were recruited and were assigned into three groups, with eleven participants per group (n=11): sedentary without oat bran consumption control (C), oat bran consumption alone (Ob), and combined oat bran consumption and brisk walking exercise (ObEx) groups. Participants in the ObEx group performed brisk walking exercise sessions 30 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Participants in the Ob group and ObEx group consumed 18 g of oat bran powder, 7 days per week for 6 weeks. Participants’ anthropometry and blood bone metabolism markers were measured at pre- and post-tests.Results
There were no significant main effects of time (p>0.05) in serum total calcium, serum phosphorus and serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (1CTP) (bone resorption marker) concentrations in all the groups. However, significantly (p<0.05) increase in serum alkaline phosphatase (bone formation marker) concentration was observed in Ob group and ObEx group respectively.Conclusion
The present observations did not show large difference in the beneficial effects of combined oat bran consumption and brisk walking compared to oat bran consumption alone on bone metabolism markers. Future studies with longer duration may be needed to elicit greater effects of combined oat bran consumption and brisk walking than oat bran consumption alone on bone metabolism markers in middle age hypercholesterolemic women.Keywords
Bone metabolism; Brisk walking; Hypercholesterolemic; Oat bran consumption; Middle age women.
The Relationship between Pre-Season Testing Performance and Playing Time among NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Athletes Over a Competitive Season: A Pilot Analysis
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Aim
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between pre-season testing performance and playing time within a Division II men’s soccer team over a competitive season.
Methods
Data was collected from pre-season athletic performance testing data for 13 male National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II men’s soccer players (age=20±1.5-years; height=180±6 cm; weight=75±7 kg), and was analyzed to determine if relationships existed between physical performance tests (countermovement jump height, peak anaerobic power in watts derived from jump height], change-of-direction performance (505-agility, modified T-test), linear speed (10 m and 30 m sprint intervals), and aerobic fitness (20 m multi-stage fitness test), and playing time over a collegiate season were provided by the University’s coaching staff and retrospectively analyzed.
Results
A Pearson’s moment correlations correlation revealed significant (p<0.05) moderate relationships between playing time and 10 m speed (r=-0.569) only.
Discussion
These results suggest that linear speed, in particular acceleration over short distance, could be a key characteristic that has some influence on playing time for Division II men’s soccer players.
Conclusion
Pre-season testing of soccer players is commonly used to assess athletic potential. Minimal research has investigated the associations between these tests and playing time over the course of a collegiate season.
Keywords
Aerobic capacity; Power; Speed; Agility; National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Sports Science Data Protocol
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Purpose
At the most elite level, even an increase of 1% improvement can make the difference between winning and losing. Sports scientists can help athletes gain insights that can be the differentiating factor. The purpose of this protocol is to delineate the process from the identification of key performance indicators to the presentation of the findings for sports scientists. It is designed to provide chronological steps in efforts to mitigate barriers of collecting data and tracking players as well as to help gain athlete buy-in to sports science by helping them maximize their performance.
Study Design
The competitive nature of professional sports leads to players, their agents, and teams to seek the expertise in sports performance areas such as those from athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and sports psychologists. However, much of the knowledge provided by these entities typically remain in silos. Thus, the whole picture of the athlete’s performance enhancement mechanism is not elucidated. This is where the significance of a sports scientist ensues, with the ability to integrate the data from each of the sports performance areas with the objective of obtaining a complete and comprehensive picture of the athlete.
Data Collection
This area of collecting data and monitoring athletes is becoming mainstream. As such professional sports leagues have started to implement privacy rules and regulations on the protection of athlete biometric data. It is important to be aware of the rules related to wearable technology and athlete biometric data as well as how to go about the process of collecting data from professional athletes. That is why it is important that care be taken and a protocol be followed to ensure the integrity of data collection in the field of sports science.
Data Processing and Analyses
Data mining is the extraction of data for the purpose of discovering meaningful patterns, normalization, and the choosing of statistical models that can help in making data driven decisions. The interpretation and presentation of the data can have a large impact on the decisions. As such, a protocol should be adhered to.
Conclusion
The following protocol will serve as a guide on how to collect data efficiently and successfully.
Keywords
Sports science; Data protocol; Sports performance; Sports scientists; Load; Professional athletes; Sports teams.
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Editor-in-Chief
Koji Sugiyama, PhD
Professor Faculty of Education-Physical and Health Education Department of Teacher Training Shizuoka University Japan
Associate Editors
Paul Macdermid, PhD
Lecturer School of Sport and Exercise Massey University Private Bag 11-222 Palmerston North 4474 New Zealand
Swarup Mukherjee, MBBS, PGDSM, PhD, FECSS
Associate Professor
National Institute of Education
Nanyang Technological University
50 Nanyang Ave
639798, Singapore
Gabriele Mascherini, Msc, PhD, PT
Assistant Professor Sport and Exercise Medicine Unit Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine University of Florence Firenze 50121, Italy
Giorgio Galanti, MD
Professor of Medicine Adjunct Professor of Sports Medicine and Nutrition University of Pittsburgh Chief of Sports Medicine Director of Non Invasive Cardiac Laboratory Università degli Studi di Firenze Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi Firenze 50121, Italy