Purpose: This investigation aimed to identify the prevalence of mental health and psychosocial concerns in a group of South African student-athletes. Procedure: A cross-sectional research design, following a quantitative research approach, was used with a convenient sample. Two hundred (n=200) student-athletes representing various South African universities, with an average age of 20.45 years, avail their data for research purposes, 72 males and 128 females. Data was collected during service delivery in clinical practice using a psychological test battery yielding information on depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21), sleep behaviour (PROMIS scale), alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C), eating behaviour (BEDA-Q) and smoking behaviour. Findings: Frequencies indicated that 6.5% showed extremely severe levels of depression, while 4.5% indicated severe and 13.0% moderate levels of depression. Fifteen percent of the athletes noted experiencing extremely severe levels of anxiety, 6.5 % severe and 23.5% moderate levels of anxiety. One percent of the athletes displayed extremely severe levels of distress, 6% had severe levels of distress, and 14% had moderate distress levels. Thirty-five percent indicated mild disturbed sleeping behaviours, with 20% reporting moderate and 15% severe symptoms of disturbed sleeping behaviour. Twenty-nine percent of the athletes noted adverse alcohol use, while 75% indicated the presence of adverse eating behaviour. Twelve percent of the athletes indicated that they smoke. Conclusion: Student-athletes exhibit elevated levels of mental health challenges and psychosocial stressors, which warrant significant attention and intervention. The findings furthermore highlight the significance of implementing a system to facilitate the early identification of athletes experiencing mental health symptoms. This will encourage athletes who require assistance to seek help from a registered health professional, and it will make it easier for athletes to proceed with further assessment and treatment, if necessary. Also, early detection and intervention may help prevent the escalation of symptoms and the development of a mental health disorder. Tertiary institutions should use this information to inform policy changes to improve mental health support structures for athletes. Understanding the prevalence of mental health issues allows for developing strategies to support the student-athlete's well-being, overall health and, ultimately, their sports performance.

An estimated 61.2 million adults play golf worldwide, with approximately 139,000 golfers affiliated with clubs in South Africa. Despite golf’s popularity as a recreational activity, the path to professional status and its sustainment is reserved for a few who demonstrate exceptional skill and dedication. Recognising the existing gap in research regarding the developmental trajectory of tour professional golfers in South Africa, there is an increasing need to identify the key factors that promote their professional development in this unique context. This study addressed this gap by aiming to elucidate the key factors contributing to their development. The study employed a qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews with a purposeful sample (N = 17) of male and female tour professional golfers ranked within the top 100 on the Sunshine Tour and Professional Golfers Association of South Africa (PGASA) teaching professionals. Reflexive thematic analysis identified nine overarching themes as key factors contributing to professional development in golf, namely a supportive developmental environment, competition-specific training, career management, a team of professional staff, financial resources, physical conditioning, lifestyle habits, psychological and physiological proficiency, and course management. This study’s findings may inform the development of a golf-specific framework for professional development tailored to a holistic approach in preparing golfers for professional advancement, highlighting its potential to optimise performance outcomes.

Professional athletes face unique psychological stressors that may increase their risk of mental health challenges. Neuroticism has been associated with poor mental health outcomes, potentially through cognitive processes such as work-related rumination. This study examined the relationship between neuroticism and general mental health, focusing on the mediating roles of work-related rumination in professional rugby union players. Adopting a cross-sectional study design, male professional rugby union players (N = 120, Mage = 28.06, SD = 3.77) completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, Work-Related Rumination Questionnaire, and General Health Questionnaire-28. Spearman’s rho correlation analyses indicated that neuroticism was significantly and positively associated with affective rumination, and significantly negatively associated with psychological detachment. General mental health was significantly positively associated with both neuroticism and affective rumination, and significantly negatively associated with psychological detachment. Parallel mediation analyses revealed that the effect of neuroticism on mental health is fully mediated through affective rumination (b = 0.20, 95% CI [0.10, 0.31]), rather than through problem-solving pondering or psychological detachment. The findings indicate that affective rumination is the primary psychological mechanism through which neuroticism exerts a detrimental effect on mental health among professional rugby union players. These results highlight the importance of interventions targeting maladaptive rumination to support the mental health of high-neuroticism professional rugby union players.

Globally, millions participate in golf, however, the likelihood of transitioning to a professional level is only 0.006%. Success as a professional golfer is uncertain, even for individuals who attain this status. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the most significant research findings identifying factors that promote professional development in golf, thereby aiding aspiring golfers in their journey toward becoming professional athletes. Following a segregated design, quantitative and qualitative research findings were analysed using meta- and thematic analyses. Electronic searches were conducted in Scopus, Google Scholar, SPORTDiscus™, Web of Science™, and EbscoHost™. Search terms included golf, athlete development, professional golfer, and golfer transition. The eligibility criteria included studies written in English from 2007 to present. The electronic search yielded 7216 records, and after evaluation, the review included 24 qualitative and 33 quantitative studies. The study identified seven main topics related to the professional development of golfers, namely the expertise of the caddie, the quality of coaching, the developmental environment of golfers, availability of funds, competition-specific training, strong psychological skillset, and physical conditioning. The review highlights the need for all stakeholders in a professional golfer’s environment to adopt a holistic approach to enhance golfers’ professional development and maximize their performance potential.

Executive function is a complex set of mental processes playing a key role in children’s academic performance. However, environmental influences on the contribution of executive function to academic achievement in older children are still unclear. This study investigated the relationship between executive function and academic achievement and the role of socio-economic status (SES) in this relationship, in grade 7 learners. A cross-sectional analysis (as part of a longitudinal study, NW-CHILD study, 2010–2016) was conducted and included 272 12-year-old (± 0.42) randomly selected South-African children (80 boys, 79 girls from low SES; 68 boys, 45 girls from high SES). SES was determined using the South African school quintile status system. Executive function was measured by the Tower of London (TOL DX ), Second Edition, and academic achievement using the North-West Provincial Assessment (NWPA) and mid-year school assessment results. Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients ( r ) indicated minor to intermediate correlations between quantitative performance aspects of executive function and mathematics ( r = 0.12–0.20), languages ( r = 0.12–0.14), and overall academic achievement ( r = 0.13–0.17). Hierarchical linear modelling revealed significantly ( p < 0.05) poorer academic achievement ( d = 0.31–1.31) and executive function ( d = 0.23–0.47) among participants from low SES schools. Gender differences in the relation between executive function, SES, and academic achievement were evident. Inhibitory control became more relevant for achievement in mathematics, especially in boys. In conclusion, executive function plays an essential role in academic achievement of 12-year-old children. The effect of SES, however, does exceed executive function as a key role player. Children from low SES backgrounds are especially vulnerable.

Research has suggested that coping under pressure could be rooted in the ability to identify and manage one's emotions. In this study, we investigated this hypothesis using cross-sectional data obtained from a sample of South African national and university level female field-hockey players (N = 60, Mage = 21.57, SD = 3.65). A correlational research design was adopted of which a pen-and-paper survey containing the Emotional Intelligence Scale and Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 was used to collect the data. Descriptive results exposed players to yield higher than average levels of total emotional intelligence and coping ability in sport with significant differences noted between the national and university level players in terms of their ability to manage their own emotions (p = 0.018), utilise emotions (p = 0.007, d = 0.74), coping with adversity (p = 0.002, d = 0.84), coachability (p < 0.01, d = 3.17), and overall coping ability (p < 0.01, d = 1.00). After controlling for the level of participation, hierarchical linear regression analyses confirmed the relationship between the study variables exposing total emotional intelligence to be a significant predictor of players' ability to cope with adversity (β = 0.55, p = 0.006), concentrate (β = 0.43, p = 0.044), maintain confidence and achievement motivation (β = 0.42, p = 0.027), as well as overall coping ability (β = 0.28, p = 0.023). It was concluded that emotional intelligence may be a worthy contributor in the psychological profiling of players and a plausible intervention mapping tool in sport psychology practice to potentially enhance the coping ability of female field-hockey players.

The present study aimed to examine the effect of a quiet eye training (QET) intervention compared to a technical training (TT) intervention on the visual control and performance of rugby union goal-kickers. Male rugby union players ( n = 18, Mage = 21.35 years, SD = 2.03) were randomly assigned into a QET or TT group. Participants completed a pre-test, retention test 1, pressure test, and retention test 2 over six weeks, including a two-week intervention programme. The QET focussed on the QE and performance, while TT focussed on technical aspects of rugby goal-kicking. Each participant performed a total of 50 kicks that consisted of 15 kicks during the pre-test, retention test 1, and retention test 2, and five kicks during the pressure test. Using a Dikablis eye-tracker the QE was measured before (QE-pre), and during (QE-online), the run-up of the goal-kick. The results indicated that QE-pre durations increased from the pre-test to both retention tests and the pressure test for the QET group only (all p's < 0.05, all d's ≥ 0.08). The QET group also displayed longer QE-pre durations during the pressure and retention tests (all p's < 0.05, all d's ≥ 0.80), and longer QE-online durations during the pressure test ( d = 0.73), compared to the TT group. Finally, the QET group outperformed the TT group during the pressure test ( d = 0.72). Thus, overall, our results revealed that a short QET intervention benefitted attentional control and goal-kicking performance, particularly under high-pressure.

Purpose: This study examined the extent to which irrational performance beliefs and intolerance of uncertainty co-occur in relation to mental well-being among a sample of athletes and coaches (N = 94, M age = 31.99, SD = 12.81) upon their return to sport following COVID-19 disruptions. Methods and Results: Despite the parity in views, independent samples t-test results identified three significant differences in the tested variables between athletes and coaches, which suggested that athletes are more likely to entertain depreciative thoughts about performances and react more aversively to uncertainty, whereas coaches reported a better mental well-being state. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis confirmed a significant positive relationship between composite irrational performance beliefs and intolerance of uncertainty scores, with both these variables being inversely related to mental well-being. Results from a simple atemporal mediation analysis using the PROCESS macro verified that intolerance of uncertainty fully mediated the adverse effect irrational beliefs exert on mental well-being. Conclusion: Sports psychology practitioners within the framework of REBT are advised to explore their orientation of modifying irrational beliefs aligned to clients' perceptions and tolerance of uncertainty in sport through the inclusion of IU-specific awareness and behavioral experiments.

Puberty and the onset of menarche influences the motor performance of girls. However, the magnitude of these influences during varying maturity status, is not clear. This longitudinal study over two years aimed to investigate differences in motor fitness between early and late developing girls based on pre- and post-menarche status. A convenience sample (n = 58) of girls aged 13.51 ± 3.51, divided by means of the Status Quo method into pre (n = 13) and post-menarche (n = 45) groups, was used. Motor fitness was tested once annually by standardized protocols. Basic statistics, independent t-testing and a repeated measures ANOVA with a post hoc Bonferonni correction were used (p < 0.05 = statistical significance). Effect sizes were determined by Cohen’s d-values. Only explosive upper body strength differed significantly between groups during baseline, favoring post-menarche girls. Initially, post-menarche girls showed advantages in hand-eye coordination and speed (p > 0.05) with pre-menarche girls performing better in agility and explosive leg strength (p > 0.05). At 15.51 years, no significant, between-group differences were found. Pre-menarche girls surpassed post-menarche girls in hand-eye coordination and 0–40 m speed and post-menarche girls displayed higher explosive leg and upper body strength scores (p > 0.05). Our data show that the potential to excel in sport based on motor capabilities can only be accurately estimated 1–2 years after reaching menarche.

Emotional awareness and regulation are often associated with improved performance in sports, which raises the question as to the role of emotional intelligence in athletes' optimal performance states. The relationship between emotional intelligence and components of competitive state anxiety levels among a sample of senior-level South African female field-hockey players (n=60, age=21.57 +/- 3.65) was determined. The Emotional Intelligence Scale and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 were applied to collect the data. Descriptive analyses revealed an above-average emotional intelligence and a low somatic/cognitive anxiety, with self-confidence being low to moderate, among players. Direction of cognitive and somatic anxiety was neutral, while selfconfidence levels were facilitative to performance. Pearson's correlation analyses revealed positive associations between players' management of their own and others' emotions and self-confidence, as well as a negative association with cognitive anxiety. A positive association between total emotional intelligence and self-confidence was revealed with results from the simple linear regression analyses, confirming the significant influence emotional intelligence has on players' competitive state anxiety experiences. Essentially, emotional intelligence intervention in aid of controlling cognitive anxiety and improving and maintaining self-confidence is advocated in coaching and sport psychology practice.

Background:The impact of a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle on cardiovascular health is well-documented, however the current obesity and hypertension trends among children is concerning. The ExAMIN Youth SA study aims to investigate the impact of lifestyle behaviors (physical fitness/activity, dietary intake and psychosocial factors) involved in early vascular aging among South African children. Methods:This study is an analytical, multidisciplinary, observational cohort study in a school-based setting. We aim to phenotype a cohort of similar to 1,000 primary school children (black and white boys and girls between ages 5-9 years) based on current clinical childhood conditions including hypertension and obesity. The primary phenotype is large artery stiffness and retinal microvascular diameters, both biomarkers of early vascular aging. The risk factors and mediators of early vascular aging and also responsible for the clinical conditions include physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and life stress. Additionally, urinalysis and salivary analyses will be performed to identify biomarkers related to the pathophysiology of early vascular aging. Discussion:In line with the growing prevalence of obesity and hypertension responsible for the development of early vascular aging from childhood to adulthood, this study will address the critical areas in which we observe unfavorable arterial modulation related to dietary behaviors, physical inactivity, and early life stress. Implementation of novel biological markers may further contribute to our understanding of early cardiovascular adaptations in childhood, and aid in the development of primary prevention programs. Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on 15 August 2019 (NCT04056377).

Emotional intelligence is often associated with higher psychological functioning, leading to an increase in the awareness of psychological skills application in sports. We examined the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological skills application among a sample of senior-level South African female field-hockey players (n = 60). Participants completed the Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) and the Psychological Skills Inventory (PSI). We utilised bivariate correlations to assess the relationship between variables and linear regression to predict players' level of psychological skills application from emotional intelligence scores. Results indicated several significant correlations between the dimensions of emotional intelligence and players' psychological skills. Further, emotional intelligence seems to be a significant predictor of mental rehearsal and total psychological skill scores. Emotional intelligence appears to be a potential facilitator of psychological skills application in high level field-hockey participation and performance.

The primary aim of this study was to explore gender differences regarding the sport psychological skills (SPS) profile of adolescent sport participants in a South African context. The present study forms part of an extensive five-year longitudinal study, the Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal Study (PAHL-Study). A cross-sectional research design was used to gather quantitative data. Two hundred and eleven (89 boys and 122 girls) grade nine pupils (14 and 15 years of age) participated in the study. The participants completed the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory for Sport (ACSI-28) to determine their SPS profile. The results showed that the boys obtained higher mean scores in seven of the eight measured sport psychological skills. Freedom from worry was the only skill that yielded a statistically significant difference, with the boys (52.06 +/- 20.27) obtaining a higher mean value than the girls (46.17 +/- 20.56). In conclusion, the current findings indicated that, at this developmental level of competitive sport, boys and girls participants seem to be very similar regarding their sport psychological skills dispositions.

This study investigated possible cognitive functioning profile differences between professional and semi-professional rugby players. Seventy-nine male rugby union players (professional = 55, semi-professional = 24; age range = 19-37 years) participated in the study. The players completed a battery of neuropsychological functioning tests covering the following domains: memory tasks, attention and behavioural tasks, sensory-motor tasks, executive functioning tasks, verbal tasks, and emotion identification tasks. Results following Fisher's exact test comparisons revealed no significant group differences in the cognitive functioning profiles.

A fundamental feature in successful coaching outcomes and athlete performance is rooted in the quality of the coach-athlete relationship which is impacted by coaches’ way of being. This investigation examined whether perceived coach behaviour associates with the coach-athlete relationship quality and self-rated season performance among members from two South African male senior national para-sport teams (n = 23, M age = 32.65). The predictive utility of coaches’ perceived behaviour on the dyadic relationship quality and athletes’ views on their own performance was also determined. Cross-sectional quantitative data were collected by means of the Coaching Behaviour Scale for Sport, Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire and a Likert-scale item recording athletes’ subjective rating of perceived standard of performance for the respective competition season. The team members’ reported fairly good standard of season performances and sound relationship standings with their involved head coaches who were seen to exhibit behaviours most illustrative of mental preparation, personal rapport, and competition tactics. Inferences drawn from the correlation analyses advised that particular adoptive coach behaviour in para-sport coaching appears to be a meaningful construct associated with the establishment and maintenance of relationships with athletes. Regression analyses also exposed coaches’ competition strategy behaviour to be a significant predictor of complementarity in the coach-athlete relationship, which along with the noted positive correlations provide a good basis for further exploration in similar sport contexts.

This study aimed to investigate whether differences exist in the personality profiles of professional and semi-professional rugby union players. Participants were 73 male rugby players, 52 professional players and 21 semi-professional players. All participants completed the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI) as part of the WebNeuro Sport online assessment. An independent sample t-test showed a statistically significant difference in neuroticism between the professional and semi-professional players. The magnitude-based inference method confirmed the results of the independent sample t-test with a moderate effect. The potential practical value of these findings is that the Neuroticism scale of the Big Five personality dimensions can be used as a screening tool for indicating which players a team would want to recruit and invest time and money in since these players will most likely be capable of progressing to the top level in their sport.

Expert performance in sport depends on physiological, technical, emotional, and cognitive domains. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the measures of cognition (memory capacity, attention and behavioural tasks, sensory-motor functioning, verbal tasks, executive functioning and emotion identification) and on-field performance [as determined by the key performance indicators (KPIs)] of university-level rugby players. A group of 25 male university-level rugby players were recruited from a South African University’s Rugby Institute squad who participated in the Varsity Cup Tournament (VCT). The players’ cognitive functioning was measured using the WebNeuro Sport, developed by the BRC, which consists of seven measuring scales. The cognition scale was used for further analysis. To quantify the players’ on-field performance, the KPIs of each player were determined for each game by using the technical analysis software, Stratus. Results indicated that the tight five forwards’ sensorymotor ability might contribute to the number of carries the players perform during attacking play. The loose forwards’ showed a positive correlation between total contribution and emotion identification. For the backs, medium to strong positive correlations exit between emotion identification and total attacking contribution, passes as well as kicks. Therefore, effective pattern recognition ability and associated quick decision-making might be important cognitive functions for backline players as well as loose forwards. Keywords: Cognitive functioning, neuropsychology, performance, performance indicators, Rugby union, sport psychology

This study determined whether anthropometrical, physical, motor and sport psychological differences exist between a group of male adolescents who show talent for sprinting and their less talented counterparts. Grade 8 boys (N=89; mean age: 13.25 +/- 0.46 years), from a high school in Potchefstroom voluntarily participated in the study. A general talent identification (TID) protocol and a sport psychological questionnaire were completed. The 40m sprint test was used to categorise the subjects into two groups. Those in the top 10% were assigned to the-talented group (TG) (n=8, mean age=13.79), and the remaining subjects were assigned to the less talented group (LTG) (n=72, mean age=13.55). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied with stature as the covariate to adjust for variations in growth status between the two groups. The practical significance of dfferences between the two groups was determined by means of effect sizes (ES). The level of significance was set at p <= 0.05. Significant dfferences with the potentially talented sprinters, who obtained better scores in upper and lower body explosive power, acceleration, maximal speed, aerobic endurance and in goal setting were found.

This study explored sport psychology practitioners’ mindfulness in relation to the quality of consulting relationships and value within contemporary practice. A total of 34 sport psychology practitioners from South Africa (n = 22, females = 41%) and the United Kingdom (n = 12, females = 25%) (Private practice = 68%; 15+ years’ experience = 44%) participated in this study. Data were gathered, using the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF), Working Alliance Inventory Short-Revised Form (WAI-SRT), and interviews. Spearman’s rank order correlation and thematic content analyses were employed to analyse the data. Higher levels of practitioners’ mindfulness were associated with superior consulting relationships. Specifically, positive correlations were observed between mindfulness attributes of observing, describing, non-reacting ability, and quality of the therapeutic bond, agreement on goals, and agreement on goals and tasks with clients respectively. Thematic analysis suggested mindfulness to facilitate accurate attending to present-moment experiences, and empathetic understanding of clients’ unique needs.

The effect known as Ringelmann effect states that as group size increases, individual behavior may be less productive. If this decrease in productivity in groups is attributed to a decrement in individual motivation, it is called social loafing. We tested hypotheses that the collectivism associated with participation in team sports would reduce the level of social loafing compared to people who were not involved in team sports. In one experiment, participants (n=72; M age=21.7 years, SD=2.0) had to pull a rope individually and collectively. Groups of two, three, four, and six persons were formed from among individuals with no previous sports experience, and of those who had engaged in individual and team sports. For each team, the sum of individual achievements of the individuals constituting a team was computed. This sum served as the anticipated result (expected value). The expected values were later compared to the actual achievements, i.e., the value achieved by the whole team. The results of the study suggested that previous experience in collective (team) sports eliminated the effect of social loafing.