The purpose of this study was to analyse whether contextual (perception of motivational climate and positive and negative spontaneous self-talk in sports), personal (positivity) and situational variables (positive and negative spontaneous self-talk employed in competition and precompetitive anxiety) predict performance in a competition of ensembles of rhythmic gymnastics. 258 female gymnasts between ages14 and 20 (M= 15.24,SD= 1.46) participated in the study, completing pre- and post-competition measures. The results of the path-analysis showed that both the task-involving climate and positivity predicted positive self-talk in sport. This predicted self-confidence which, in turn, positively predicted positive situational self-talk in competition. For its part, the perception of an ego-involving climate positively predicted the use of both negative and positive self-talk in sport. Negative self-talk in sports predicted negative situational self-talk in competition and somatic and cognitive anxiety. In turn, cognitive anxiety positively predicted negative situational self-talk. Finally, performance was positively predicted by positive situational self-talk and negatively by negative situational self-talk. These results explain the functioning of spontaneous self-talk at different levels of generality and its relationship with sports performance.

Static balance performance appears to detect differences between roles played in team sports. Static balance can also be influenced by the subject's height and age, and the type of test used. Could the static balance profile show differences among the role played depending on the specific test evaluated and the gymnasts' age? A cross-sectional design was applied. 46 acrobatic gymnasts (37 females and 9 males) were divided in four groups according to role (base or top gymnast) and stage of adolescence (early adolescent or mid-adolescent) during two different static tests: (1) unipedal with open and closed eyes (generic), and (2) headstand (specific). To test the effect of the role and the age group, a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) between groups was performed. Centre of pressure (COP) measurements were obtained and normalised relative to participants height, including length travelled on the anteroposterior and mediolateral axis (AP_CoP and ML_CoP) and the mean speed (SP_CoP). Base gymnasts obtained lower values in the CoP excursion than Top gymnasts but only in unipedal tests for all the variables analysed (5.536 ≥ F_1,42 ≤ 10.589, 0.002 ≥ p ≤ 0.023), except for the AP_CoP in unipedal-closed. Mid-adolescent gymnasts obtained lower values in the CoP excursion regardless of the task than early adolescent (5.324 ≥ F_1,42 ≤ 14.805, 0.000 ≥ p ≤ 0.026). It has been observed a clear effect of age on the static balance manifested in acrobatic gymnastics, regardless of the subject's height, the role played, and the test performed. The effect of the role played in this team sport has been different depending on the type of test performed.

CrossFit® is a competitive sport and fitness modality characterized by multiple physical capabilities and multi-joint movements. This study aimed to analyse and classify variables related to CrossFit® competitors’ specific performance. Fifteen male CrossFit® competitors were selected (n = 15; 30.57 ± 5.5 years; 1.76 ± 0.06 m; 78.55 ± 9.12 kg). Mean values were obtained for body mass index (25.3 ± 2.14 kg/m2), 4 skinfolds, 1 repetition maximum in the squat (137.60 ± 19.65 kg) and the bench press (101.67 ± 10.64 kg), maximum pull-ups (18.87 ± 5.05), sit-ups in 60 s (46.60 ± 4.22), peak power in the countermovement jump (3908.04 ± 423.68 W), VO2max with a shuttle run test (47.70 ± 4.79 ml kg-1·min-1), and time in the Workout of the Day (WOD) “Fran” (337.13 ± 119.19 s) and “Donkey Kong” (417.47 ± 98.44 s) components. Principal component analysis was conducted to classify variables and to select those most related to each new component (“strength and muscle mass”, “adiposity” and “aerobic capacity”). The correlation matrix was analysed, indicating significant correlations between “Donkey Kong” and VO2max (r = -.675; p “ .01), suprailiac skinfold (r = .713; p “ .01) and sit-ups (r = -.563; p “ .05); and between “Fran” and squat (r = -.528; p “ .05). Three important components characterizing CrossFit® competitors were identified: “strength and muscle mass”, low “adiposity” and “aerobic capacity”. Significant relationships between morphofunctional variables and Crossfit® performance were found in Crossfit® competitors.

DIFERENCIAS MOTORAS EN ATLETAS CADETES DE TAEKWONDO SEGÚN NIVEL COMPETITIVO

Despite the importance of balance in Acrobatic Gymnastic Pyramid performance, there is limited biomechanical analysis of balance during this activity. The aims of this study were to analyse the effect of pyramid difficulty on the centre of pressure (COP) excursion and its inter-trial variability, and determine which parameters had strongest relationship with performance. Forty-seven acrobatic gymnasts performed five trials of back and front pyramids and a third more difficult, handstand pyramid on a force platform. Pyramids were held for 7 seconds and surface area, range, mediolateral amplitude and anteroposterior amplitude of the CoP were examined to analyse balance. The pyramid scores were obtained from qualified judges to assess the performance. Results showed higher CoP excursions and inter-trial variability during the execution of the high difficulty pyramid. Higher judges’ scores were associated with lower CoP excursions in all the pyramids regardless of the difficulty. Similarly, correlation between inter-trial variability and pyramid performance was observed, although these coefficients were lower than those reported for the relationship between CoP excursion and performance. These results suggested that CoP monitoring could help coaches and gymnasts to assess the pyramid instability more accurately.

Background: The study of psychosocial aspects in adolescents is of increasing interest in the field of formal education. Therefore, the design and evaluation of an Acrobatic Gymnastics (AG) programme focused on the personal and social needs of adolescents in Physical Education (PE) is proposed. The objectives of this research are to establish the associations and relationships between self-esteem and social skills in order to determine the effectiveness of the programme. Methods: This is an evaluative research study in which a participatory action research method was used. Eighty-three secondary school students aged 14 and 15 participated in the study. The Ambez@r Group Social Skills Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used for data collection. Results: Students with socially skilful behaviour have a high level of self-esteem. The designed programme produces statistically significant improvements in both constructs. Conclusions: The programme is effective in improving the social skills and self-esteem of adolescents, and there is a clear association between both constructs.