International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching

The main purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effects of trust in the relationships between organizational justice (i.e., distributive justice, procedural justice, and interactional justice) and attitudinal outcomes (i.e., career commitment and job satisfaction) among Chinese collegiate coaches. A total of 208 Chinese collegiate coaches across 8 sports were recruited in 73 universities. Data were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results demonstrated that trust in supervisor partially mediated the relationship between interactional justice and job satisfaction (β = 0.188, p < .05). Moreover, trust in organization fully mediated the relationship between interactional justice and career commitment (β = 0.211, p < .05). This study demonstrates the importance of interactional justice in improving collegiate coaches’ job satisfaction and career commitment as well as the mediating role of trust in supervisor in the relationship between interactional justice and job satisfaction and the mediating role of trust in organization in the relationship between interactional justice and career commitment. The findings offer suggestions to college athletics departments that may improve collegiate coaches’ work attitudes by fostering a just and trustworthy work environment.

This study examined the effect of trust in coach as perceived by soccer players on team climate and team performance. The survey was conducted using a combination of in-person and online and responses were collected through a self-report questionnaire, allowing participants to provide answers based on their own experiences and perceptions. A total of 202 soccer players (N = 202, male: 135, female: 67) registered with the Korea Football Association (KFA) responded to the survey. The age range of the participants was between 14 and 29 years, with a mean age of 18.43 years. Furthermore, Participants’ team levels were categorized as middle and high school (74.7%), university (17.8%), and professional (7.5%). Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to verify the normality of the data, while correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationships between variables. In addition, regression analysis was conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS macro to examine the mediating effects. As we expected, trust in coach was significantly related to team climate and team performance. Trust in coach was found to predict the team climate and team performance positively. Also, the mediating effect of team climate in the relationship between trust in coach and team performance was significant. These findings underscore the importance of trust and positive climate within sports teams, indicating the necessity of establishing trust between coaches and players and fostering a positive team climate for effective team management.

To address the need for theoretical investigations of life skills development, the current study looked to combine Self-Determination Theory and the 3C's model when investigating life skills development in sport. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the coach-athlete relationship in mediating the potential associations between coach autonomy support and participant's life skills development in Brazilian youth sport. A total of 724 (380 boys and 344 girls, Mage = 14.57, SD = 1.62) took part in the study. These participants completed measures assessing their perceptions of coach autonomy support, coach-athlete relationship (closeness, commitment, and complementarity) and life skill development (teamwork, goal setting, interpersonal communication, problem solving and decision making, time management, emotional skills, leadership, and social skills). Our analyses indicated that coach autonomy support had an indirect effect on participant's total life skills development (i.e., all eight life skills combined) via the coach-athlete relationship. In practice, these findings suggest that when trying to promote participant's total life skills development through sport, coaches should display autonomy-supportive behaviors and foster a positive coach-athlete relationship.

Recognized as the process of psychophysiological unwinding from the demands of work and other stressors, occupational recovery has been a popular topic of study over the past decade. Building on the recovery research in occupational workers and more recently athletes, sport and performance psychology scholars have begun to consider the occupational recovery of the team around the team (i.e., athletic trainers and sport psychology professionals). Like the aforementioned professionals, coaches may be able to use recovery to buffer work-related stressors which can impact their health, work performance, and career longevity. That said, there is a dearth of research on coach recovery, perhaps due to a lack of appropriate measures to study occupational recovery in this specific population. The purpose of the current study, therefore, was to validate the Recovery Experience Questionnaire (REQ) in a coaching population. A sample of 237 collegiate and professional coaches (148 males, 89 females) were recruited from various sports, competitive levels, and roles. In addition to assessing two forms of reliability, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to evaluate the four latent variable measurement model of the REQ. Furthermore, correlational analyses were used to demonstrate discriminant validity between the REQ and a measure of perceived stress. Collectively, the results suggest that the REQ possesses strong psychometric properties and is a measure worthy of further exploration and use in an elite coaching population.

Many fields have called for a shift from a weight-normative to a weight-inclusive approach. However, there is still a paucity of research investigating such a shift within college athletic coaching. This quantitative study investigated weight bias, fatphobia, and diversity training among collegiate athletic coaches (n = 68). A cross-sectional survey design using random convenience sampling was used and findings revealed the prevalence of weight bias and fatphobia among coaches, with many endorsing harmful weight normative beliefs that can exacerbate negative mental health outcomes, such as disordered eating, among student athletes. The results also indicated a significant lack of diversity training related to size and body composition, highlighting a crucial gap in coaches’ preparation to foster a weight-inclusive environment that supports athletes’ mental and physical well-being. This research is a call for athletic departments to adopt weight-inclusive coaching practices, ensuring that athletes of all sizes can thrive in a supportive environment. Recommendations and resources for inclusive coaching practices are also provided.

Coaching education programs can be perceived as a fundamental cornerstone to certify and further develop sports coaches across domestic and continental territories. Particularly in Brazil, futsal coaches have been benefiting from a large-scale perspective that allows the sport to keep evolving nationwide. To better understand its educational structure and benefits, this study explored a futsal coaching education program that provides state-level certification in the Brazilian territory. Our mixed-methods research design included a qualitative analysis of official documents, a questionnaire collecting data from 67 futsal coaches, semi-structured interviews with the program's coordinator, five coach developers and five coaches, in addition to a participant's observation performed by the lead researcher. Our findings highlight five themes: (1) program's definition, (2) educational model, (3) program's identity and coaching awareness, (4) pedagogical approach, as well as (5) evaluation and impact. More intriguingly, however, this Brazilian futsal coach education program revealed low levels of interaction and practical reflection among its participants, while futsal coaches also reported a lack of feedback on most of the activities they performed. Overall, the present study suggests a switch from the program's traditional assessment into a rather procedural and contextualized evaluation to enhance learning and development in futsal coaching practice.

Sport science is a popular area for university study and a sought-after field for employment. Employment opportunities in elite sport are few, thus a surplus of sport science university graduates seek employment often in community-level sport exists. Community sports coaches can be a gateway to the employment of sport science professionals, however coaches’ attitudes toward the use and value of sport science, and how this may translate to employment opportunities, is not well understood. This study reports the attitudes of ten community-level Australian football coaches, obtaining an in-depth understanding of their perceptions of a sport scientist's role, their value of the sport science field, current use of sport scientists within their club, sport scientist training and qualifications, and the feasibility of employing a sport scientist. Inductive semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted via an online platform using an open-ended interview schedule developed from a detailed literature review, determining key foci for inclusion. Coaches viewed the role of a sport scientist in community-level football to be broad, acknowledging that sport scientists can perform specialist roles. Coaches highly valued the profession overall and frequently used and endorsed the use of sport scientists in their sport. However, a commonly occurring theme was that sport science was not seen as particularly cost-effective at a community-level. This theme stemmed from the overarching perceived financial barrier coaches reported as limiting their ability to employ or effectively utilise a sport scientist in their club. The findings highlight key limitations to the employment of sport scientists in community-level sports.

This study examined the relationships among athletes’ self-emotion appraisal, coping, well-being, and intention to continue exercise based on cognitive–motivational–relational theory. Specifically, we explored the mediating role of problem- and emotion-focused coping in the relationship between self-emotional appraisal and behavioral outcomes. A total of 244 responses were collected from elite athletes affiliated with the Korean Sports Association. Results revealed that self-emotion appraisal positively affected problem- and emotion-focused coping, which, in turn, enhanced athletes’ well-being and intention to continue exercise. These findings suggest full mediation, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence and adaptive coping strategies for fostering sustained athletic engagement and psychological flourishing. This study implies that interventions aimed at enhancing athletes’ emotional appraisal and coping skills could play a critical role in optimizing athletes’ commitment to sport and their well-being.

Limited research has examined continued skill development in adult high-performance sport. In addition, while game-based approaches emphasise the concurrent development of technical excellence and tactical nous, there is a lack of clarity in relation to how coaches develop skill within a games-based approach. As such, this paper explored coaches’ understanding of skill and their approaches to the development of skill within high-performance cohorts through a game-based approach. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight coaches with experience coaching at the highest level of Gaelic football; these coaches self-identified as adhering to a game-based approach, albeit not to a particular framework. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to the resulting transcripts. The analysis identified two key challenges coaches faced in relation to skill development through a game-based approach: competing priorities for coaches in relation to team preparation within training sessions, compounded by competing priorities for players in terms of athletic development outside of training sessions. Despite these competing priorities, the coaches endorsed skill development as an important function of the high-performance coach and reported a sophisticated definition of skill. The coaches described a variety of activities which were used to support players’ development of skill, consistent with their espoused games-based approach to coaching. However, more sophisticated game design, better integration of unopposed activities and games, developing player self-regulatory skills and enhanced coherence between coaches appear to be ways in which skill development could be enhanced to address the challenges coaches identified and maximise the benefits of employing a game-based approach.

The rapid growth of technology in managing training processes offers both opportunities and challenges for sports practitioners. This study examines factors influencing technology adoption in four high-performance sports: golf, sprint kayak, freestyle snowboarding, and volleyball. Each discipline reflects distinct physiological and training needs. Using an interview-based approach and including 25 stakeholders (6 athletes, 14 coaches, and 5 high-performance managers), we captured qualitative and quantitative insights into the perceived benefits and challenges of technology in athlete monitoring.

The thematic analysis identified key advantages of technology in athlete monitoring, including objective data support, enhanced engagement, real-time feedback, and increased confidence, while also highlighting concerns around misuse, time demands, and technological complexity. Conflicting views on motivation, comfort, and human oversight further emphasized the challenges in integrating technology effectively.

To quantify these insights, we applied the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a structured prioritisation approach that is new within sports science, to rank essential technology features. Findings ranked Reliability (1^st; 18.73%) and Validity (2^nd; 18.42%) as top priorities, with Interpretability (3^rd; 9.95%), Responsiveness (4^th; 9.02%), and Complexity (5^th; 8.08%) also valued. Key training priorities included monitoring Technique (1^st; 15.94%), Performance (2^nd; 15.24%), and Benchmarking (3^rd; 11.90%).

The thematic analysis highlights the importance of balanced use of technology. In a complementary approach, the AHP provides a structured method for assessing stakeholder priorities, enhancing decision-making and helping align technology development with practitioner needs. By introducing a framework that bridges communication between engineers, scientists, and practitioners, this study guides the development of user-centred sports technologies that effectively address real-world challenges in high-performance organisations.

In this study, the practices and perceptions of sport and exercise practitioners regarding hamstring training for injury risk mitigation were investigated. Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) remain a prevalent issue across sports, despite extensive research. An anonymous survey was conducted to assess how practitioners integrate evidence-based strategies, such as the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) and high-speed running (HSR), into their training programmes. The survey included both fixed-response and open-ended questions, enabling a mixed-methods analysis of training approaches. A total of 47 practitioners responded, revealing that most incorporate the NHE and HSR into both in-season and off-season training. However, there were notable differences in volume, with higher HSR distances and NHE volumes programmed in the off-season. Despite widespread adoption of the NHE, practitioners indicated that the volumes of NHE used are still likely higher than the smallest effective dosages reported in the literature. Thematic analyses highlighted several key challenges practitioners face, including athlete compliance with training programmes, multi-disciplinary team coordination, and time limitations. Practitioners emphasised the importance of exposing athletes to maximal running efforts to reduce HSI risk, while also integrating strength training exercises that target the hamstrings. The study serves to highlight a need for further improvements in communication among teams and better athlete education which could enhance the effectiveness of hamstring training programmes. Additionally, the findings of the current study indicate a need for future studies that explore the combined effects of resistance training and HSR, as well as how scientific recommendations can be more effectively implemented in practical settings.

Whilst Theoretical Performance Analysts benefit from established validity and reliability frameworks, their practical application faces several challenges for Applied Performance Analysts (APAs). We explored the current practices and perceptions regarding validity and reliability by APAs to formulate best-practice recommendations. An open and closed-answer survey was completed by 175 APAs from a range of sports and countries, with responses analysed based on experience (early-career APAs vs experienced APAs). Findings reveal a desire for robust validity and reliability methods, particularly among experienced APAs. Collaborative approaches amongst APAs and other stakeholders were identified when determining performance indicators, yet decisions for live data collection were primarily made by APAs. Familiarisation and reliability processes varied, specifically the frequency of checks, with experienced APAs dedicating more time to learning new systems and checking data more frequently. Despite the existing theoretical frameworks, time constraints and personnel changes pose challenges for practical implementation, with APAs calling for an applied framework. These insights inform the development of a best-practice recommendations framework for collecting, analysing, and presenting accurate and meaningful performance analysis data in applied settings.

The study assessed the physical and anthropometric profiles of highly trained male and female youth basketball athletes from around the world to inform talent selection and development processes. 727 under-18 athletes (Male: N = 424; Female: N = 304) from Africa, Asia, Americas, and Europe were tested for height, mass, wingspan, hand length and hand width, standing reach, speed, agility, standing vertical jump and maximal vertical jump. One-way ANOVAs determined regional differences in all anthropometric and physical assessments and an independent t-test was conducted between positions. Results present a global normative view of highly trained male and female youth basketball anthropometric and physical attributes. Specifically, gender specific differences were apparent for all anthropometric and physical assessments, population specific differences existed in both the male and female cohorts, and there were clear positional differences showing frontcourt players to be bigger, slower, less agile, and less powerful (e.g., lower jump performance). Collectively, these data provide useful profiling and benchmark information that can be utilized for talent selection and development decision making processes.

This study aimed to investigate academy football coaches’ perceptions and experiences of managing adolescent growth and maturation within the constraints of an English Premier League academy. Using a longitudinal mixed method design, 98 under 12–16 players were assessed for maturity status, growth velocities and match performance grade. Interviews were conducted in parallel, with their nine respective coaches. The quantitative and qualitative data were then combined to generate a rich, contextualised understanding. One case study is also presented as an archetypal example. Findings are presented in three themes. Coaches described the conflict between the value of winning and player development, difficulties in judging potential and performance, and the challenges of developing players in an elite competitive environment. Findings emphasise the intricacies of managing and developing adolescent athletes in academy football. Coaches in this study were challenged by the individual differences in growth and maturation and the elite, competitive and selective nature of football academies and the constraints of this environment exacerbate these challenges.

Purpose: Our study aims to 1) characterize and analyze food intake and typical external load in young soccer players over a normal microcycle; 2) correlate energy and macronutrient intake with external training load parameters. Methods: Eighteen high-level junior male soccer players (17.61 ± 0.49 years old) had their nutritional intake and training load assessed during a typical mid-season competitive week in November 2022, which included two matches and a structured training schedule. Anthropometric measurements, following ISAK methodology, were taken by a certified technician. Dietary intake using self-reported food diaries for all days was analyzed. Players wore a GPS device during training and matches to measure various performance metrics (distance covered, player load, accelerations, decelerations, maximal speed, and metabolic power). Results: The results revealed no significant within-week variations of carbohydrate (p = 0.747), protein (p = 0.199), lipid (p = 0.747), and calorie (p = 0.241) intake. Significant differences were observed between training days on total distance (p = 0.001), total distance standardized to minutes (p < 0.001), player load (p = 0.007), player load standardized to minutes (p < 0.001), and meta energy (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Players maintained a consistent diet throughout the week, while training load measures varied significantly across the same microcycle, indicating a lack of nutritional periodization. This highlights the need for better nutritional strategies to support varying training loads. It is crucial to reflect on the importance of this apparently insufficient intake for the health and performance of young athletes. Future investigations should explore the development of tailored nutritional plans to enhance their overall well-being and athletic performance.

The present study compared the physiological, physical, and technical performances during “FUNino” (3 vs. 3) to that of the standard competition mode (7 vs. 7) under the influence of two coaching feedback situations (verbal encouragement vs. no verbal encouragement). “FUNino” features a 3-a-side game on a small pitch size (20 × 27-meter) with specific scoring rules (scoring within a 6 m goal zone) utilizing four small goals played without goalkeeper. There are also no offsides or throw-ins, however a kick- or dribble in. Sixteen U11 male youth footballers performed eight 10-min games, four in the “FUNino” and four in the standard competition game (7 vs. 7) in accordance to the German national government soccer association (DFB). All games were videotaped and physiological, physical, and technical parameters quantified for each game. A two-factors linear model with repeated measurement (ANOVA) were used to analyze the parameters. There were significant (p < 0.05) higher physiological (+7.10%), physical (+17.3%), and technical (+219%) parameters in the “FUNino” format. There were also significant higher physical (average (+8.88%) and relative (+5.47%) running distance) as well as technical (relative number of ball touches, + 9.69%) parameters in the feedback mode. “FUNino” provided a significant higher number of physiological, physical, and technical demands than the 7 vs. 7 used by the national soccer government association. Additionally, verbal encouragement positively influenced running distance. Competition format had greater influence on physiological, physical, and technical outcome compared to verbal encouragement.

Small-Sided Games are a widely used and well-researched training method in soccer, valued for their flexibility in adapting to various training objectives through the modification of a numerous variables. However, certain areas still require further investigation. This study examined whether players’ infield positions affect performance when playing as floaters in different zones. 4 min Small-Sided Games were conducted as 6 vs. 6 matches with 2 floater players and goalkeepers, involving floaters as central and wide players in an outer zones and an inner zone condition. The analysis focused on match metrics (e.g., outcome of possession phases), running data across different speed zones, technical (e.g., number of ball possession actions) and tactical performance indicator (e.g., effective playing space or space control). Results indicate that central players contributed to a better average outcome per ball possession phase compared to wide players, reflected by their lower average scores (outer zones: 2.53 ± 1.18 vs. 3.33 ± 0.72, inner zone: 2.58 ± 1.12 vs. 2.81 ± 1.17, mean ± standard deviation). Furthermore, the zone played in, but not the player position, showed significant differences in terms of high-speed running (p < .01) and sprinting behavior (p < .05). Because data from each zone proved to be representative of regular matches, the findings suggest the following implications: For return-to-play, athletes can start in the central zone with fewer high-intensity runs; position-specific training should focus on usual roles, while new stimuli can be introduced by assigning players to unfamiliar positions.

Penalty kicks in FIFA World Cups often play a decisive role in determining match outcomes. Our study analysed 64 in-match penalties from the 2014, 2018, and 2022 FIFA Men's World Cups, focusing on player running behaviours (fluent vs. non-fluent) to investigate the prevalence of specific penalty strategies during these tournaments. Penalty strategy (keeper-independent and keeper-dependent), situational (tournament year, tournament stage, match period, match status), individual (footedness), and performance indicators (shoot direction, goalkeeper's action, outcome) were collected from the three successive World Cups. Chi-square tests were conducted to evaluate the relationships between indicators and strategies. Adjusted standardised residuals were calculated to identify significant cell contributions and support further analysis. Results: (1) Keeper-dependent strategies were used significantly more frequently in the 2022 World Cup compared to 2018 and had higher scoring rates than keeper-independent; (2) low shots were more frequent for keeper-dependent penalties; (3) goalkeepers remained in the middle more often when facing the keeper-dependent strategy. Conclusion: The use of keeper-dependent strategy increased across the 2014, 2018, and 2022 FIFA World Cups, with higher scoring rates. Players using this strategy are more inclined to shoot low, while goalkeepers tend to stay in the middle. Match period, stage, and status did not significantly impact penalty strategy, suggesting that players maintained the same strategy across different contexts. Coaches and players should prioritise mastering the keeper-dependent strategy while understanding the advantages and limitations of both penalty strategies. Flexibly adopting these strategies could contribute to enhancing penalty kick scoring rates.

Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic, a major change in professional European football was increasing allowed substitutions from three to five players per game. This study explores the effects of this regulatory change on four major European leagues (Ligue 1, La Liga, Serie A, and the Premier League) from the 2015–2016 to the 2022–2023 seasons. Descriptive statistics and a Linear Mixed Model were used to study the impact of the rule change on temporal distribution and number of players substituted. To investigate the change in the immediate impact of substitutions, we created a quantifiable variable and compared pre- and post-rule change results. Additionally, a Difference-in-Difference model examined the new rule's effect on final match outcomes. The results show that clubs are tactically adjusting, with an increased use of halftime substitutions and more flexible second half strategies. Additionally, the variability in the immediate impact of substitution on the scoreline and the decrease in final score difference emphasize the crucial role of substitution in tactics. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of how rule adjustments in football can influence game dynamics and team strategies, offering valuable insights into the tactical adaptations prompted by regulatory changes.

The aim of this study was to uncover how different positional roles, match outcomes and match location impacts psychomotor performance, which was investigated among Hungarian soccer players. The sample consisted of 201 players, who were tracked across 38 matches by using GPS devices. Metrics, such as distance covered, high intensity running among others were observed. Results based on ANOVA tests and independent samples t-tests showed several significant values.

According to our findings, central midfielders accounted for the greatest endurance, while wide midfielders excelled in high-speed activities during match play. Furthermore, players tended to cover more distance and perform higher intensity running during lost matches. In terms of explosive actions, they were more prevalent during matches that were played abroad. Interestingly, home-field advantage did not show a significant result in locomotor variables, yet a higher count of explosive actions was recorded during away matches.

Positional roles have a significant impact on player performance, with central midfielders and wide midfielders showing different activity profiles. Match results are closely related to physical effort, with losing matches requiring more effort. Contrary to conventional views, the home field advantage is not reflected in locomotor variables, although increased explosive actions in away matches suggest adaptive behavior. These results may inform training and match preparation strategies, emphasizing the endurance of central midfielders and the high intensity actions of wide midfielders.

Monitoring sprint distance is commonplace in Australian Rules football (ARF). Thresholds are programmed as a percentage of maximum speed (V_max), however day-to-day variation has not been considered. The aim of this study was to determine the day-to-day variation in V_max, jump height, power, and strength in male, talent-identified ARF athletes. Twenty-three male, ARF athletes (age = 16.6 ± 0.64 years, height = 179.4 ± 9.1 cm, mass = 73.4 ± 8.4 kg) completed a countermovement jump, isometric mid-thigh pull, and 40-metre sprint on three occasions within a 7-day period, separated by 48-h recovery periods. Descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVAs, and general linear regressions were used to analyze the data. V_max declined progressively (ηP²= 0.586, CV = 5%) between session one (31.8 ± 1.5km⋅h⁻¹), two (30.8 ± 1.2km⋅h⁻¹), and three (30.0 ± 1.3km⋅h⁻¹). No differences were observed for jump height (47.4 ± 5.0 cm), peak force (2981 ± 518N), or net peak force (2047 ± 444N⋅kg⁻¹). Jump height, peak force, and net peak force did not predict V_max in session 1, session 2, or session 3. Individual changes in V_max exceeded 5% in 10 instances. The V_max is outside the typical error for measurement and indicative of the variation in V_max. The lack of predictive power demonstrated by strength and power variables is evidence of the technical considerations associated with sprinting. Practitioners should consider the variation in V_max when monitoring training load in field sports. The variation suggests that programming thresholds based upon a single recording of V_max may incorrectly describe the true amount of high-speed and sprint running completed.

Despite increases in performance analysis research, research within British netball remains scarce. This study examined technical performance differences among Netball Super League (NSL) teams during the 2023 and 2024 seasons and assessed the progression of British netball since 2008. This study analysed 188 matches, with teams categorised by league position. Performance indicators (PIs) such as centre pass (CP) and turnover (TO) conversion, and shooting variables were assessed using inferential statistics, comparing top- and bottom-quality teams against different standards of opposition. Results indicated top-quality teams consistently outperformed bottom-quality teams in most PIs, with significant differences in CP, TO and shooting statistics. Top-quality teams converted a median of >70% for CP and TO to goal, indicating a threshold for successful performance. Additionally, there was a median performance improvement of >20% for these PIs compared to 2008 profiles. However, performance inconsistencies were observed, with large interquartile ranges in PIs, suggesting performance variability. These findings highlight improvements within British netball since 2008, aligning with research trends in offensive play dominance. As the NSL relaunches in 2025, this study establishes a benchmark for evaluating future league changes on competitiveness and consistency. Future research should explore tactical aspects of successful netball performance e.g. offensive and defensive CP strategies.

This paper investigates unforced errors in tennis which is facilitated by a rich dataset. Descriptive analyses are carried out which studies the distribution of unforced error rates across professional tennis players, the identification of players with high and low rates, the relationship between rates and match winning percentage, the relationship between rates and aggressiveness (via hitting winners), the relationship between rates and touch number, and the study of rates versus time. Methods are then developed to assess the impact of unforced errors which are applicable to any racquet sport. We demonstrate the approach in the context of professional tennis with an investigation of the longstanding rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The value of the approach is that we can provide estimates of the points lost, games lost, sets lost and matches lost due to unforced errors. The methods are based on a bootstrapping procedure which also yields standard errors for the estimates. The approach is valuable in terms of player evaluation, and can also be used for training purposes where it is possible to assess the quantification of improvement based on fewer unforced errors.

Body mass is the most important predictor of success in fighting between conspecifics, with the heavier individual winning most fights. For this reason, the opponents in combat sports are usually weight-matched. The exception is the heavyweight division, which has no weight limit. Elite heavyweight athletes may cluster around an unknown global heavyweight optimum or compete at an individually specific optimal weight. We used comprehensive data (taken from boxrec.com) on bout outcomes for active male professional heavyweight boxers and Bayesian logistic regressions to explore the association between anthropometric predictors and the probability of winning. We identified the population-level optimum weight for heavyweight boxers at around 110 kg. The effects of age and height on the probability of winning were, however, much stronger than the effect of weight. Changing division during a boxer's professional career also affected performance: heavyweight athletes who during their professional careers also fought in lower weight classes were 19.9% [31.1–5.6%] less likely to win a bout in the heavyweight class. The study points to the importance of anthropometric measures for long-term success in professional heavyweight boxing and suggests a cut-off point, at which on average the marginal benefits of being a heavier boxer drop to 0.

Physical preparation for improving golf performance is a topic of rising interest. However, little is known of how advancements in empirical evidence have integrated with the practices and perceptions of elite professional golfers. To address this shortfall in knowledge, forty-nine (n = 32 European Tour, n = 17 Challenge Tour) professional golfers were surveyed on their physical preparation practices and perceptions. Additionally, golfers’ in-tournament training practices were observed at the 148th Open Championship gym facility. The majority of surveyed golfers had experience of following a “structured resistance training plan” (89.8%). However, players face challenges to incorporate physical preparation throughout a tournament year. In turn, the development of physical attributes including muscular strength, power and muscle mass known to underpin clubhead speed/driver distance, and the training methods typically required to stimulate such adaptations were often not prioritised during the in-season period. Limited engagement with heavy load and high-velocity resistance training methods were observed at the Open Championship. However, in order to maximise their potential, players can enhance key physical qualities on a year-round basis (i.e., during the in-season). Consequently, further education and research on how to effectively organise and optimise resistance training within tournament constraints would be of value.

The present study aimed to investigate the changes in the physical profile of the England women's cricket team over a 13-year period. Physical profiles of 45 female players were retrospectively analysed from 2010 to 2022. Mixed linear modelling was employed to examine changes in various physical parameters including 10 m and 20 m sprints, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, aerobic fitness (measured through the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1, Yo-Yo-IR1), and push and pull strength endurance across time. There was a significant increase in Yo-Yo IR1 performance over time (P < 0.001), with the distance covered improving from 1077 metres in 2011 to 1666 metres in 2014. Both 10 m (P < 0.001) and 20 m (P < 0.001) sprint times significantly improved up to 2014. Furthermore, there were significant increases in push (P < 0.001) and pull (P < 0.001) strength endurance across time. However, no significant changes were observed in run-2 performance. Although there were significant changes (P < 0.001) in CMJ height across time, no clear trends were evident for year-to-year changes. Overall, the study demonstrated a significant physical evolution of the England Women's Cricket Team over 13 years, characterised by high aerobic fitness and upper body strength endurance. Future physical development should therefore focus on developing speed and change of direction qualities.

The game of cricket is one of the most popular team games. Its influence continues globally, with efforts by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to expand the game to other regions and make it more inclusive beyond the commonwealth countries. Weather has become an integral part of cricket because the game is played outdoors, and the weather can impact the game in many ways. Though there are numerous cricket-related studies in the literature, there is a shortage of research work focusing on the impact of the weather on the game. This study considers one-day international cricket games played during the last decade and conducts an in-depth analysis to quantify the impact of weather-related factors on batting and bowling. Furthermore, we extend the analysis to explore weather-prone cricket venues, and at the end, we accurately predict the result of a weather-affected game. According to the experimental outcomes, the nature of the weather (clear, overcast, rainy, sunny) and some of the weather–related parameters such as temperature, heat index, humidity, dewpoint, precipitation, win-speed, pressure, and the amount of light significantly impact both batting and bowling at various stages of the game. When predicting the winner of the weather-affected game, the Bagging model can predict the winner with an accuracy of 79%, recall value of 84%, and precision of 76%.

The significance of data analysis in high-performance sports has largely increased in recent years, offering opportunities for further exploration using machine learning techniques. SailGP is a relatively new sailing event driven by a passion for speed and innovation. The racing series brings excitement and thrill to the world of sailing that has been relatively unexplored. As a pioneer work in the academic community, our work showcases the power of data-driven approaches in enhancing performance and decision-making at high-performance sailing events. We explore data mining techniques on datasets collected at high-performance sailing events in Bermuda in 2021 and Italy in 2023. By analysing race data, the study aims to gain insights into the relationship between variables such as wind speed, wind direction, foil usage, and daggerboard adjustments, and their impact on boat speed. For a comprehensive understanding, we used three distinct methodologies. Various prediction models, including Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, and a stacked model, were employed and evaluated using performance metrics like R² score and mean squared error. The results demonstrate the models’ ability to accurately predict boat speed. Anomaly detection techniques examined boat stability, adding a new chapter to the research. Additionally, we introduced a reinforcement learning approach to identify optimal settings for speed enhancement, representing another new dimension of the study. These findings refine race strategies, optimise sail and rudder settings, and improve performance in SailGP races. Future plans include collaborating with SailGP to work with larger datasets and integrate models into live racing scenarios.

Badminton is a demanding sport that requires effective workload management to enhance performance and prevent injuries. This study developed a machine learning-based Decision Tree (DT) model to create personalized workload management strategies for 73 young elite badminton players, averaging 6 years of experience. Players underwent anthropometric and fitness assessments, with external loads measured via triaxial accelerometers and internal loads through rate of perceived exertion (RPE) during training and competition. K-means clustering categorized players into high, moderate, and low external workload levels. High-load players were generally older, taller, heavier, and exhibited superior flexibility, grip strength, and countermovement jump performance. Moderate-load players excelled in balance and leg endurance, while low-load players showed greater upper body strength, quicker reaction times, and higher perceived exertion. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of tree depth on model performance, followed by a comparative assessment of the Decision Tree (DT) model and multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR). The results demonstrated that the DT model outperformed the MLR, achieving 92% accuracy in predicting external loads compared to the MLR's 57%. This highlights the DT model's superior capability to provide tailored workload recommendations, thereby enhancing athletic performance and reducing the risk of injury.

The aiming point is the most crucial criterion for a successful shot in all shooting events. This study investigated the motion-capture (Mocap) based aiming point assessment method in three steps: the static fluctuations of the markers in four dimensions were observed; the aiming point results of the Mocap-based method were compared with laser trace on the target in static and dynamic conditions; the effects of marker dimensions on the aiming point trajectories were examined. A wooden lath, with two sets of reflective markers in four dimensions (12-18 mm) and a laser, was fixed on a tripod and aimed at the center of the target. The lath was left stationary and then moved twenty times as in shooting. While a camera followed the laser trace on the target, the Mocap system followed the markers, and aiming point data were calculated. Compared to larger markers, significantly smaller errors in static marker fluctuations were found for the 12 mm marker (p < 0.008). Aiming point trajectory length in static conditions showed significant differences between marker pairs and laser. No significant differences between the laser and the marker pairs of 12, 14, and 16 mm were noticed in dynamic conditions. The Bland-Altman analysis showed that the 12 mm marker pair had the smallest bias and a strong agreement with the laser-based method.

The objective of this study was to describe and compare the running demands and performances in women's elite football in different types of training sessions and matches, considering two professional categories (First Division and Second Division) during two consecutive seasons. A total of 32 players were analyzed in the Spanish Women's First Division (C1) and Second Division (C2). In addition to the match-day (MD), four types of training sessions were analyzed: four, three and one days before the MD, MD-4, MD-3 and MD-1 respectively, and one day after, MD + 1. The recorded variables, were: effective minutes (EM), total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR), sprint (SPR) and distance covered per minute (TDmin). The results were: 1) for both categories: no training session replicated the demands of competition, except for MD + 1 in C2 which accumulated higher values in two variables (HSR and SPR). MD-1 was the session with the lowest load and intensity; 2) C1 only presented higher demands than C2 in two (TD, 9533 m vs 9255 m and TDmin, 98,8 m/min vs 96 m/min) of the four variables in the MD. We can conclude that there was an inverted U-shaped distribution in running performance within the competition microcycle in both categories, despite that most of the training sessions were not more demanding than the competition, and that there were only differences between categories in competition running performance. The practical applications of this study could improve intervention strategies in both the training process and competition.

The primary objective of this study was to assess how wind affects metabolic cost of running. A numerical method was employed to investigate aerodynamic forces acting on a runner at three different running speeds (10, 15, and 20 km/h) while experiencing five headwind and tailwind speeds (ranging from 0 to 30 km/h). Additionally, a mathematical model was used to estimate aerodynamic and metabolic power based on both runner and wind speeds. Insights from the numerical investigation highlighted how wind conditions, including speed and direction, alter the turbulent wake behind the runner, ultimately affecting metabolic power requirements. While a 30 km/h tailwind leads to a modest 9% reduction in energy expenditure, a headwind of the same speed results in a substantial 37% increase. In practical terms, running at 13.7 km/h against a 20 km/h headwind imposes the same metabolic demand as running at 19.4 km/h with a 20 km/h tailwind. Furthermore, considering an out and back course, temporary tailwind advantages do not sufficiently offset headwind effects. Thus, this study underscores the critical need for runners to consider weather conditions, especially wind, to effectively manage energy expenditure and optimize performance in competitions or training sessions.

Sports coaches play a key role on sports participants’ health, due to the informal educational dimension inherent to sport, but feel limited in terms of health promotion (HP) implementation in their practices. The aim of this systematic mapping review is to identify coaches’ HP skills, which are already used in daily practice, and which they need to acquire, as well as leverages and barriers to their use. Based on PRISMA-P guidelines, six databases were searched using keywords close to sport coaching and skill and health. Inclusion criteria were 1) targeting organized grassroots sport coaches, 2) peer review English original articles, 3) discussing coaches’ skills. Among the 2485 studies found, 56 were included based on a double-blind selection. Analysis included: thematic coding of skills, followed by a categorization based on health determinants (social, environmental, economic and organizational) mobilized and an analysis of the types of health (social, physical and psychological) affected. Results identified ten coach's HP skills: sport participant management, health support, education, evaluation, motivation, cooperation, prevention, communication, role modeling and self-management. These skills are mostly targeting sport participant psychological health. Barriers included coaches’ own definition of the boundaries of their role, pressure from sport participants’ relatives. Leverages to skills use were self-confidence, attending training, getting experience, increasing knowledge or adhering to guidelines. Coaches’ HP skills are close both internal (e.g., self-management, role modeling) and external (in relations to sport participants or partners) and target mostly psychological health.

Different long-term exposure to match-play might have implications for maintaining the collective fitness levels within a football team. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding the accumulation of training and match load in football between players regularly exposed to match-play (e.g., starters) and less exposed (e.g., nonstarters, substitutes, non-selected). This study systematically reviewed the subsequent training/match load according to the different playing times of football players. Following the PRISMA guidelines on three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science), observational studies performing a formal comparison in training and/or match load between players exposed to different playing times were screened (Prospero registration: CRD42023473037). Twenty-two studies including 484 adult males, 79 adult females and 95 youth males, reported from a minimum of 18 training sessions to a full season. The average methodological quality of the studies was moderate (74.9%). Players were mostly classified by the exposure time to the latest match among other criteria. Still, different cut-off values were adopted within the same criteria. Football players accumulated greater overall (match + training) volume and high-intensity running activities and physiological responses when exposed to greater playing time. However, a similar practice training volume, high-intensity activities, and physiological responses observed between players potentially suggests the reliance on top-up running conditioning strategies for substituted/unselected players adopted to compensate for the lower match load, albeit insufficient to compensate for the match load.

This systematic review examines recent statistical methodologies for assessing cricket player performance across batting, bowling, and fielding. Traditional metrics such as batting averages, runs scored, and wickets taken often fail to capture a player's comprehensive contribution to the game. Recent approaches, however, employ advanced statistical techniques including Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Generalized Geometric Distributions (GGD), Bayesian methods, copula functions, and machine learning algorithms, to develop novel performance indices. These methods incorporate contextual factors like opposition quality, pitch conditions, and match situations, offering a better evaluation, particularly in fast-paced formats like T20 cricket. The review emphasizes the integration of metrics across all skill areas to achieve an overall assessment, highlighting the significance of opening partnerships, high-pressure bowling performances, and fielding efficiency in determining match outcomes. It also discusses the growing utilization of real-time data and sophisticated analytics in strategic decision-making and player selection. However, challenges remain such as the difficulty in collecting detailed performance data, particularly for fielding actions, and considering psychological factors like how different players handle pressure. The review concludes by underscoring the need for future research to improve evaluation methods, include more detailed data, and integrate psychological dimensions. As cricket analytics continue to evolve, embracing these new approaches will help teams make better use of data, leading to improved strategies, player performance, and a deeper understanding of the game.

In sport there are negative aspects of technology use and its innovation that includes concerns about reducing athlete skill diversity. To address this, reconceptualization of the product design process and the position of business models during technology innovation is needed. This paper explores ways in which theories of skill acquisition can be integrated with product design and entrepreneurship, using the interdisciplinary research base on creativity to bridge these domains. Intersecting concepts used to explain creativity are used to evaluate how shared constraints under which members of transdisciplinary teams interact might enhance coordination, communication, and integration of skills during technology innovation. A key gap that we address is how to conceptualize the role that the commercial perspective should have on technology innovation in sport, and the position of users (athletes, coaches, and sport scientists) therein. We propose using ‘sport technology incubators’ as vehicles to integrate business, design, and motor learning frameworks to examine empirical questions surrounding ways of optimizing sport technology innovation while sustainably supporting athlete skill in contexts of training and competition.