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The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions designed to slow the spread of infection greatly disrupted people’s lives. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of lockdown on the psychology, training, and sleep habits of a cohort of basketball players. An online survey involving 169 professional and amateur athletes was conducted using four validated psychological questionnaires (WLEIS-S, POMS, BRS, SMS-II) and a Likert scale to measure the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and training variables. Gender differences in fatigue (p = 0.022); friendships (p = 0.017); others’ emotional appraisal (p< 0.001); and resilience (p = 0.031) were apparent, with higher values for women in all categories bar resilience. Comparisons before and during the lockdown revealed that all participants reduced their RPE (p< 0.001); training days (p = 0.004); and training hours (p< 0.001), and experienced a decline in the quality of sleep (p< 0.001). Sleep hours (p< 0.001) increased during lockdown. The professionals and females maintained their training days (p > 0.05), while the non-professionals and males did not. Psychological states during lockdown were a predictor of the differences in training and recovery variables. In situations where training and competition are limited, it is important to develop plans to maintain physical activity, good quality sleep, and promote greater emotional management and understanding to control negative moods.
Jorge Lorenzo Calvo; Miriam Granado-Peinado; Alfonso de la Rubia; Diego Muriarte; Alberto Lorenzo; Daniel Mon-López. Psychological States and Training Habits during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Spanish Basketball Athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 9025 .
AMA StyleJorge Lorenzo Calvo, Miriam Granado-Peinado, Alfonso de la Rubia, Diego Muriarte, Alberto Lorenzo, Daniel Mon-López. Psychological States and Training Habits during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Spanish Basketball Athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (17):9025.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Lorenzo Calvo; Miriam Granado-Peinado; Alfonso de la Rubia; Diego Muriarte; Alberto Lorenzo; Daniel Mon-López. 2021. "Psychological States and Training Habits during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Spanish Basketball Athletes." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 17: 9025.
Relative age effects (RAEs) appear consistently prevalent throughout the youth basketball literature. However, the selection into and successful transition out of a national talent pathway in basketball is yet to be explored. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to explore the influence of relative age, gender, and playing time based on the selection into the Regional Talent Hubs and Basketball England youth teams (U16, U18, and U20) and the successful transition into the England National Senior Teams. Participants who were selected into the male (n = 450) and female (n = 314) Basketball England Talent Pathway were allocated into one of three cohorts: (a) Regional Talent Hubs (U12 to U15; n = 183), (b) England National Youth Teams (U16, U18, and U20; n = 537), and (c) England National Senior Teams (n = 44). A chi-square test was used to compare the birth quarter (BQ) distributions of each cohort against the expected distributions, with a Cramer’s V (Vc) used to interpret effect sizes. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were also calculated to compare the likelihood of each BQ being represented. Males revealed significant RAEs across both the Regional Talent Hubs (p< 0.001, Vc > 0.29, OR = 10) and England National Youth Teams (p< 0.001, Vc > 0.17, OR = 3.1). In comparison, females only had significant RAEs in the Regional Talent Hubs (p< 0.001, Vc > 0.29, OR = 2.3). Despite RAEs being prevalent throughout youth levels, there were no significant differences in the BQ distribution based on playing time and those who made the successful transition to the England National Senior Teams. These findings demonstrate the potential mechanisms of RAEs in basketball, as well as the impetus to explore more equitable competition structures within the England Basketball Talent Pathway.
Adam Kelly; Sergio Jiménez Sáiz; Alberto Lorenzo Calvo; Alfonso de la Rubia; Daniel Jackson; Mark Jeffreys; Charlie Ford; Dave Owen; Sara Santos. Relative Age Effects in Basketball: Exploring the Selection into and Successful Transition Out of a National Talent Pathway. Sports 2021, 9, 101 .
AMA StyleAdam Kelly, Sergio Jiménez Sáiz, Alberto Lorenzo Calvo, Alfonso de la Rubia, Daniel Jackson, Mark Jeffreys, Charlie Ford, Dave Owen, Sara Santos. Relative Age Effects in Basketball: Exploring the Selection into and Successful Transition Out of a National Talent Pathway. Sports. 2021; 9 (7):101.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAdam Kelly; Sergio Jiménez Sáiz; Alberto Lorenzo Calvo; Alfonso de la Rubia; Daniel Jackson; Mark Jeffreys; Charlie Ford; Dave Owen; Sara Santos. 2021. "Relative Age Effects in Basketball: Exploring the Selection into and Successful Transition Out of a National Talent Pathway." Sports 9, no. 7: 101.
Background: Competitive success is the ultimate objective of elite professional sport organisations. Relative age effects (RAE) impact athlete selection processes in the short and long-term performance. The aims of this study were: (i) examine the presence of RAE by gender, competitive level, and playing position, as well as evaluate the impact of RAE on individual (goals, percentage of effectiveness in shots, saves; percentage of effectiveness in saves, assists, turnovers, steals, blocked shots, penalties, minutes played, and minutes played per match) and collective competition performance (final team position); and (ii) analyse the impact of RAE on the evolutionary trends of individual performance in international competitions throughout 16 seasons in Spanish handball (2005–2020). Methods: The sample included 631 Spanish handball players (male: n = 359; female: n = 272). A Chi-square goodness-of-fit test was used to assess whether a skewed birthdate distribution occurred. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of independent measures was used to examine the individual and collective statistical parameters by birth quartiles. A linear regression in a Hopkins sheet were performed to compare individual performance trends. Results: The results revealed RAE in the male formative categories (p < 0.001), as well as the male and female senior categories (p < 0.05). By position, RAE especially affected the “centre-back” in the male formative (p < 0.01) and senior categories (p < 0.05). No significant relationship between RAE and individual performance was found in male formative categories, while an impact of RAE on the “minutes played” was detected in the female senior category (p < 0.05). With regard to collective performance, a higher number of relatively older handball players was observed in the best ranked teams in the male formative categories and in the quarter-final teams in the female formative categories (p < 0.05). Among the male players, relatively older players spent more minutes on the court than relatively younger players, although this advantage dissipated over time and did not lead to better performance. Among the female players, relatively younger players were found to perform better as the level of competitive handball increased. Discussion: These findings are important for talent identification and development policies in sport federations and other elite sport institutions by demonstrating the many unintended consequences of selections to international competitions at the youth level.
Alfonso de la Rubia; Alberto Lorenzo; Christian Thue Bjørndal; Adam Leigh Kelly; Abraham García-Aliaga; Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo. The Relative Age Effect on Competition Performance of Spanish International Handball Players: A Longitudinal Study. Frontiers in Psychology 2021, 12, 673434 .
AMA StyleAlfonso de la Rubia, Alberto Lorenzo, Christian Thue Bjørndal, Adam Leigh Kelly, Abraham García-Aliaga, Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo. The Relative Age Effect on Competition Performance of Spanish International Handball Players: A Longitudinal Study. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021; 12 ():673434.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlfonso de la Rubia; Alberto Lorenzo; Christian Thue Bjørndal; Adam Leigh Kelly; Abraham García-Aliaga; Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo. 2021. "The Relative Age Effect on Competition Performance of Spanish International Handball Players: A Longitudinal Study." Frontiers in Psychology 12, no. : 673434.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) forced a stoppage in the 2019/2020 season of LaLiga™, possibly influencing performance indicators in the return to competition. Therefore, here, we evaluated whether the stoppage due to the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) lockdown influenced physical performance compared to the start of LaLigaTM in terms of high-intensity efforts. Using a semi-automatic, multiple-camera system, running activities during 22 matches were analyzed. We compared the first 11 matches of the season (pre-lockdown) with the 11 matches just after the restart of LaLiga™ (post-lockdown). The results showed higher (p < 0.05) performance in the pre-lockdown period compared with the post-lockdown period, including in medium-speed running (14.1–21 km/h), high-speed running (21.1–24 km/h), and sprinting speed running distances (>24 km/h). However, the number of accelerations/min and decelerations/min were significantly higher during the post-lockdown period. Therefore, we conclude that the stoppage due to the COVID-19 lockdown generated lower physical performance in the post-lockdown period compared with the pre-lockdown period, most likely due to the accumulation of matches (congested schedules).
Abraham García-Aliaga; Moisés Marquina; Antonio Cordón-Carmona; Manuel Sillero-Quintana; Alfonso de la Rubia; Ignacio Refoyo Román. Comparative Analysis of Soccer Performance Intensity of the Pre–Post-Lockdown COVID-19 in LaLiga™. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 3685 .
AMA StyleAbraham García-Aliaga, Moisés Marquina, Antonio Cordón-Carmona, Manuel Sillero-Quintana, Alfonso de la Rubia, Ignacio Refoyo Román. Comparative Analysis of Soccer Performance Intensity of the Pre–Post-Lockdown COVID-19 in LaLiga™. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (7):3685.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAbraham García-Aliaga; Moisés Marquina; Antonio Cordón-Carmona; Manuel Sillero-Quintana; Alfonso de la Rubia; Ignacio Refoyo Román. 2021. "Comparative Analysis of Soccer Performance Intensity of the Pre–Post-Lockdown COVID-19 in LaLiga™." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 7: 3685.
Performance in basketball is multifactorial. One of the modifying factors is the “Relative Age Effect—RAE”. However, its impact depends on the sample characteristics and sport context. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the RAE on basketball competition performance by analysing peer-reviewed articles published until July 2020. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses systematic search guidelines, nine studies were identified in four databases: Sport Discus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Moreover, a study quality analysis using “Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology” guidelines was carried out. The results confirmed an impact of the RAE on competition performance in basketball (56% measurements) and a higher influence of the RAE on short-term collective performance (54% measurements). Statistical parameters were affected, especially in men and U14-U18 categories. No impact of the RAE reversal and no influence of the RAE on long-term collective performance were found. There was a higher impact of the RAE in men (71%), the U14-U18 categories (44%), and at the national level (40%) was identified. The RAE has a variable influence on basketball performance according to developmental constraints. Nevertheless, the findings should be considered based on the sport context due to the heterogeneity and variability of the identified results.
Alfonso De La Rubia Riaza; Jorge Lorenzo Calvo; Daniel Mon-López; Alberto Lorenzo. Impact of the Relative Age Effect on Competition Performance in Basketball: A Qualitative Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 8596 .
AMA StyleAlfonso De La Rubia Riaza, Jorge Lorenzo Calvo, Daniel Mon-López, Alberto Lorenzo. Impact of the Relative Age Effect on Competition Performance in Basketball: A Qualitative Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (22):8596.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlfonso De La Rubia Riaza; Jorge Lorenzo Calvo; Daniel Mon-López; Alberto Lorenzo. 2020. "Impact of the Relative Age Effect on Competition Performance in Basketball: A Qualitative Systematic Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 22: 8596.
Background: The impact on athletes based on grouping methods according to the date of birth within the constituent year, known as the relative effect of age (RAE), is a factor that can influence the achievement of sports success. Many studies have examined the magnitude of this phenomenon in sport; however, the relationship between the RAE and performance in team sports competition has not been accurately evaluated so far. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the influence of the RAE on competition performance in team sports through analysis of published peer-reviewed articles from 2000 to 2019. Methods: According to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis systematic search guidelines, 19 studies were identified of the 2,093 that were found in the systematic searching process carried out in four databases: Sport Discus, PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus. The sample of the study was composed by 77,329 players, of which 92.08% were male and 7.92% were female, whereas the recorded performance measurements were 87,556. The relation between relative age effects and competition performance was registered according to constraints-based theoretical model: individual constraints (sample characteristics) and task constraints (sport context). Moreover, study quality analysis, Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology, was carried out. Results: The short-term individual (10.20%) and collective (18.09%) performance was influenced by the RAE, whereas the long-term individual performance (49.71%) was affected by the RAE reverse. However, in 16.99% of the measurements, no relationship was found between the RAE and competition performance. In the analysis by subcategory, the influence of the RAE was higher in men, in adulthood (senior category), in invasion games, and in national contexts. Discussion: The findings clearly demonstrated that the RAE has a great influence on the performance in team sport. Possible implications for policy and practice should be discussed in order to prevent unequal practice based on biased models that prioritize the athlete's current performance and therefore obviate their maturational development. The heterogeneity and variability of the identified results require a relativization of the findings of this study.
Alfonso De La Rubia; Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo; Alberto Lorenzo. Does the Relative Age Effect Influence Short-Term Performance and Sport Career in Team Sports? A Qualitative Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology 2020, 11, 1 .
AMA StyleAlfonso De La Rubia, Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo, Alberto Lorenzo. Does the Relative Age Effect Influence Short-Term Performance and Sport Career in Team Sports? A Qualitative Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology. 2020; 11 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlfonso De La Rubia; Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo; Alberto Lorenzo. 2020. "Does the Relative Age Effect Influence Short-Term Performance and Sport Career in Team Sports? A Qualitative Systematic Review." Frontiers in Psychology 11, no. : 1.
The spread of COVID-19 has altered sport in Spain, forcing athletes to train at home. The objectives of the study were: (i) to compare training and recovery conditions before and during the isolation period in handball players according to gender and competitive level, and (ii) to analyse the impact of psychological factors during the isolation period. A total of 187 participants (66 women and 121 men) answered a Google Forms questionnaire about demographics, training, moods, emotional intelligence, and resilience sent using the snowball sampling technique. T-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare sport level and gender differences. Linear regressions were used to analyse the psychological influence on training. Handball players reduced training intensity (in the whole sample; p = 0.44), training volume (especially in professional female handball players; p < 0.001), and sleep quality (especially in professional male handball players; p = 0.21) and increased sleep hours (especially in non-professional female players; p = 0.006) during the isolation period. Furthermore, psychological factors affected all evaluated training and recovery conditions during the quarantine, except for sleep quantity. Mood, emotional intelligence, and resilience have an influence on physical activity levels and recovery conditions. In addition, training components were modified under isolation conditions at p < 0.001. We conclude that the COVID-19 isolation period caused reductions in training volume and intensity and decreased sleep quality. Furthermore, psychological components have a significant impact on training and recovery conditions.
Daniel Mon-López; Alfonso De La Rubia Riaza; Mónica Hontoria Galán; Ignacio Refoyo Roman. The Impact of Covid-19 and the Effect of Psychological Factors on Training Conditions of Handball Players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 6471 .
AMA StyleDaniel Mon-López, Alfonso De La Rubia Riaza, Mónica Hontoria Galán, Ignacio Refoyo Roman. The Impact of Covid-19 and the Effect of Psychological Factors on Training Conditions of Handball Players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (18):6471.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniel Mon-López; Alfonso De La Rubia Riaza; Mónica Hontoria Galán; Ignacio Refoyo Roman. 2020. "The Impact of Covid-19 and the Effect of Psychological Factors on Training Conditions of Handball Players." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 18: 6471.
This study examines the relative age effect (RAE) and its impact on the performance of elite male (n = 3,358) and female (n = 3,273) handball players in the U-19 (n = 2,188), U-21 (n = 2,031), and senior (n = 2,412) categories of the 2013/2014, 2015/2016 and 2017/2018 World Handball Championships organised by the International Handball Federation (IHF). The distribution of the players´ birth dates (by quartile: Q, and semester: S) by categories, handball playing positions, and membership of continental federations, were analysed for each of the three two-year periods in which the World Handball Championships took place. Differences between the observed and expected birth dates were tested using a chi-square goodness of fit test, and subsequent calculations were tested using odds ratios. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient was applied to test the correlation between the relative age of the athletes and (their) performance parameters. The results revealed a prevalence of the RAE on both male and female in the U-19 and U-21 categories (p0.05). All playing positions were impacted by the RAE (p0.05). The RAE also affected athlete performance: the oldest athletes played more minutes and achieved better performances. The RAE was associated with the final placement of the teams in each championship category, except in the male youth category. The findings clearly demonstrated that the RAE has a significant impact on the selection of male and female athletes to international competitions and the performance of both men and women in international handball. The potential implications of these findings for policy and practice are discussed.
Alfonso De La Rubia; Christian Thue Bjørndal; Joaquín Sánchez-Molina; José María Yagüe; Jorge Calvo; Sergio Maroto-Izquierdo. The relationship between the relative age effect and performance among athletes in World Handball Championships. PLOS ONE 2020, 15, e0230133 .
AMA StyleAlfonso De La Rubia, Christian Thue Bjørndal, Joaquín Sánchez-Molina, José María Yagüe, Jorge Calvo, Sergio Maroto-Izquierdo. The relationship between the relative age effect and performance among athletes in World Handball Championships. PLOS ONE. 2020; 15 (3):e0230133.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlfonso De La Rubia; Christian Thue Bjørndal; Joaquín Sánchez-Molina; José María Yagüe; Jorge Calvo; Sergio Maroto-Izquierdo. 2020. "The relationship between the relative age effect and performance among athletes in World Handball Championships." PLOS ONE 15, no. 3: e0230133.
Background: The sport overrepresentation of early-born athletes within a selection year is called relative age effect (RAE). Moreover, gender performance differences depend on the sport. The main objectives of the study were to compare performances between gender and RAE in precision shooting events. Method: The results of 704 shooters who participated in the most recent World Shooting Championship were compared. Performance was analysed by event (rifle and pistol), gender and category (junior and senior), together with RAE and six ranges of ranking positions. Results: The results of the study indicated that men scored higher than women in pistol events and that no performance differences were found in rifle events when the whole group was compared. According to the birth trimester, no significant differences were found in the participant’s distribution, nor in performance in any case. Conclusions: The main conclusions of the study are: (1) the men’s pistol performance is better than the women’s even though RAE is not associated to the shooting score in any case; (2) men and women performed equally in the general analysis, but their performances were different depending on category and event with no RAE influence.
Daniel Mon-López; Carlos M. Tejero-González; Alfonso De La Rubia Riaza; Jorge Lorenzo Calvo. Pistol and Rifle Performance: Gender and Relative Age Effect Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 1365 .
AMA StyleDaniel Mon-López, Carlos M. Tejero-González, Alfonso De La Rubia Riaza, Jorge Lorenzo Calvo. Pistol and Rifle Performance: Gender and Relative Age Effect Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (4):1365.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniel Mon-López; Carlos M. Tejero-González; Alfonso De La Rubia Riaza; Jorge Lorenzo Calvo. 2020. "Pistol and Rifle Performance: Gender and Relative Age Effect Analysis." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 4: 1365.
The aim of the present research was to observe the relative age effect on professional soccer players of the ten best leagues of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), according to the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History and Statistics). The sample consisted of 5201 professional players who participated in the professional leagues during the 2016-2017 season. The birth date of each player was classified in four quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4). The frequencies (fr) and percentages (%) of the birth quartiles were analyzed. The chi square test (X2) and degrees of freedom (gl) were performed to check the differences in the intergroup distribution. Likewise, odd ratios were calculated for the different quartiles, where Q4 was the reference group according to the different leagues studied, playing positions (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward) and classification (first four places, half-of the table and four last places). To calculate the size of the effect on the nominal variables, the Cramer V test was carried out. The results confirmed a greater representation of players born in Q1 and Q2, indicating statistically significant values (p < 0.05) for all the leagues studied, except in the Eerste Klasse A (Belgium). This significance was repeated for the demarcation variables in the field, with a greater effect in the case of the midfielders. Finally, the RAE also affected the three groups according to teams´ classification. The conclusions confirm the effect of the RAE in the sample studied, which would require a review of the talent selection processes in football in order to balance the chances of success of players born at the end of the year.
José M. Yagüe; Alfonso De La Rubia; Joaquín Sánchez-Molina; Sergio Maroto-Izquierdo; Olga Molinero. The Relative Age Effect in the 10 Best Leagues of Male Professional Football of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 2018, 17, 409 -416.
AMA StyleJosé M. Yagüe, Alfonso De La Rubia, Joaquín Sánchez-Molina, Sergio Maroto-Izquierdo, Olga Molinero. The Relative Age Effect in the 10 Best Leagues of Male Professional Football of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2018; 17 (3):409-416.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJosé M. Yagüe; Alfonso De La Rubia; Joaquín Sánchez-Molina; Sergio Maroto-Izquierdo; Olga Molinero. 2018. "The Relative Age Effect in the 10 Best Leagues of Male Professional Football of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)." Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 17, no. 3: 409-416.