Psychological aspects like anxiety, injuries’ effects, professional psychological support (PPS), psychological training (PT), or athlete-coach relationships could influence shooters’ performance. This study tried to determine which aspects were critical from the shooters’ perspective. Eight elite shooters were interviewed. After using qualitative methods, the following categories were obtained: importance of PT; anxiety and competition relationship; mental preparation; PPS; stress during training; injuries’ psychological effects and coach’s influence. PT is important for shooter’s performance, being PPS a key aspect. Moreover, anxiety levels are critical, raising during the pre-competitive period and oscillating during competition. Furthermore, shooters considered more effective the stress placed on training by the coach than by themselves. Accordingly, the coach plays a key role. Surprisingly, injuries did not affect shooters psychologically, nor in their competitive performance. We conclude that the combination of PPS, shooter competitive experience and the optimal coach’s work can promote a greater performance in Olympic shooting.

The present study examined the association between athletic identity, career decision-making self-efficacy, future time attitude, gender, and age to explore the process of future career selection in athletes. The sample was composed of 153 athletes, and variables were measured using the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale–plus, the Career-Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form, and the Time Attitude Scale. Results show that athletes with higher athletic identity have higher levels of career-decision-making self-efficacy and higher levels of optimism regarding the future. Furthermore, athletes with higher athletic identity are more likely intend to choose a sport-related profession in the future.

Purpose The small-sided games (SSGs) allow to work in specificity, according to the characteristics of the soccer game, the physical, technical, tactical and psychological aspects. This study intends to understand the how and why coaches use the SSGs in the training process. Methods For this...

The reactive strength index (RSI) is a performance measure previously used to assess lower extremity performance; however, this study addresses limitations in its interpretation that need to be readdressed. The purpose of this study is twofold: to test the correlation of a new variable denominated integral reactive strength index (IRSI) with the RSI and to compare the flight time, ground contact time, jump height, RSI, reactive capacity, and IRSI between Olympic athletes in 100 m and 400 m. Ten elite male track and field athletes who qualified for the Olympics participated in this study (age = 24.9 ± 2.42 years; height = 1.75 ± 5.0 cm). They were divided into two groups, the first with five 100 m sprinters and the second group with five 400 m sprinters. The drop jump (DJ) attempts from 0.20 m were performed with the force plate 0.10 m away from the jump box. The DJ 0.30 m and DJ 0.40 m had a 0.15 m separation, and the DJ 0.50 m and DJ 0.60 m had a 0.20 m separation. The correlation analysis showed a high correlation (r = 0.805; p = 0.02) between the RSI and the IRSI. The comparisons between 400 m sprinters versus 100 m sprinters showed that there are no significant differences between the groups for any of the reactive strength variables (p > 0.05). Coaches of these sports’ specialties should take these criteria into account when developing plyometric programs and introduce the IRSI as an accurate measurement for evaluating DJ performance.

Background: Selecting the right linear position transducer (LPT) for velocity-based training monitoring sometimes presents uncertainties for coaches. Objectives: This study rigorously examined the test-retest reliability of three LPT–Cs using a simultaneous triangulation method of the same device during bench press (BP) and back squat (SQ) exercises performed on a Smith machine. Methods: Forty university students—13 females (23 ± 2 years) and 27 males (31.5 ± 6 years)—voluntarily participated in a randomized repeated-measures study. LPTs were randomly assigned numbers and placed at 5 cm apart to measure and collect bar displacement (∆S), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), peak velocity (PV), and time to peak velocity (T–PV). Each volunteer performed three BP and SQ attempts with pre-standardized loads (males: BP ≥ 40 kg and SQ ≥ 60 kg; females: BP ≥ 25 kg and SQ ≥ 40 kg). Results: The main findings of this study support a high degree of reliability for LPTs. For all variables, the absolute reliability presented significant values (p ≤ 0.05), with an intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.995, a 95% confidence interval between 0.992–0.999, a coefficient of variation ≤ 10%, and a standard error of the mean ≤ 0.031. Conclusions: Scientists and coaches can use the LPT device as a reliable tool for monitoring velocity-based training by providing rigorous measurements of ∆S, MPV, PV, and T–PV during BP and SQ exercises. In addition, the smallest real difference reported may be useful in identifying minimal changes in ∆S within a single set (BP = 0.10 cm; SQ = 0.13 cm).

El gol es un indicador crucial del análisis del rendimiento del fútbol. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue analizar el gol y etapas anteriores desde la recuperación del balón. Se analizaron un total de 169 goles en la fase de grupos y eliminación del Mundial 2018. Las observaciones se realizaron con el programa LINCE y los datos se analizaron con el programa HOISAN y SPSS Statistics 24. Los datos se analizaron mediante estadísticas descriptivas y gráfica, prueba exacta de Fisher, U-Mann Whitney y coordenadas polares. Se verificó que la recuperación del balón ocurre preferentemente por falta del oponente, en las zonas del mediocampo ofensivo. El último pase se registra muy a menudo en las zonas ofensivas, como consecuencia del ataque posicional, con el pie derecho y dentro del área de penalti. También se comprobó la importancia de los esquemas tácticos para obtener el gol. Las coordenadas polares muestran las relaciones de activación entre la finalización y los otros comportamientos técnico-tácticos, reforzando y complementando el análisis notacional. Concluimos que el análisis notacional, complementado con el tratamiento estadístico y análisis de coordenadas polares, descubre información relevante para analizar el desempeño en competición y planificar el proceso de entrenamiento.