RESUMO Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a estrutura fatorial e as evidências de validade da Escala de Atitudes Religiosas (EAR-20) em uma amostra de skatistas profissionais. Participaram do estudo 129 atletas brasileiros, com idade média de 34 anos, todos competidores do Campeonato Brasileiro de Skate Downhill. Os participantes responderam aos seguintes instrumentos: EAR-20, Escala de Esperança Disposicional e Life Orientation Test. A estrutura de quatro fatores da EAR-20 foi testada por meio de análise fatorial confirmatória. Os indicadores de ajuste do modelo foram satisfatórios (χ2/gl=1,96; CFI=0,99; RMSEA=0,08), e todos os fatores (comportamento, conhecimento, sentimento e corporeidade) apresentaram boa consistência interna, além de evidências de validade discriminante, tanto com base na estrutura interna quanto nas relações com medidas externas. Conclui-se, portanto, que o instrumento apresenta evidências de validade adequadas, mostrando-se válido e fidedigno para a avaliação das atitudes religiosas no contexto investigado, sendo recomendado para utilização em pesquisas futuras.

In the field of sports psychology, the influence of mood states on athletic performance has been a topic of research in recent decades and given the importance of having valid and reliable tools in the Peruvian context, the present study aimed to translate and analyze the validity, reliability, and sex invariance of the BRUMS Mood Scale in Peruvian athletes. The sample consisted of 377 university athletes from different sports disciplines, with ages ranging from 18 to 24 years, and a mean age of 20.60 years (SD = 1.94), with 64.5% being male and 35.5% female. The BRUMS Mood Scale test was used. The findings of this research on the mood scale for university sports have shown that this instrument is reliable and valid for assessing emotional states in this comparable setting for young men and women. The studies on content validity, structure, and reliability corroborate the quality and uniformity of the instrument in the Peruvian context. En el ámbito de la psicología deportiva, la influencia de los estados de ánimo en el desempeño deportivo ha sido tema de investigación en las últimas décadas y ante la importancia de contar con herramientas validas y confiables en el contexto peruano, la presente investigación tuvo como objetivo traducir y analizar la validez, confiabilidad e invarianza de sexo en deportistas peruanos de la escala de Estados de Ánimo BRUMS. La muestra estuvo conformada por 377 deportistas universitarios de diferentes disciplinas deportivas, con edades que oscilan entre los 18 y 24 años, y una edad media de 20.60 años (DE = 1.94), siendo el 64.5% varones y 35.5% mujeres. Se utilizo la prueba Escala de Estados de Ánimo de BRUMS. Los hallazgos de esta investigación acerca de la escala de estados de ánimo para el deporte universitario han evidenciado que este instrumento es fiable y válido para evaluar los estados emocionales en este escenario comparable para hombres y mujeres jóvenes. Los estudios de validez de contenido, estructura y fiabilidad corroboran la calidad y uniformidad del instrumento en el contexto peruano. No âmbito da psicologia esportiva, a influência dos estados de ânimo no desempenho esportivo tem sido tema de pesquisa nas últimas décadas e, diante da importância de contar com ferramentas válidas e confiáveis no contexto peruano, a presente investigação teve como objetivo traduzir e analisar a validade, confiabilidade e invariância de sexo em atletas peruanos da escala de Estados de Ânimo BRUMS. A amostra foi composta por 377 atletas universitários de diferentes disciplinas esportivas, comidades que variam entre 18 e 24 anos, e uma idade média de 20.60 anos (DP = 1.94), sendo 64.5% homens e 35.5% mulheres. Foi utilizada a prova Escala de Estados de Ânimo de BRUMS. Os achados desta pesquisa sobre a escala de estados de ânimo para o esporte universitário evidenciaram que este instrumento é confiável e válido para avaliar os estados emocionais neste cenário comparável para homens e mulheres jovens. Os estudos de validade de conteúdo, estrutura e confiabilidade corroboram a qualidade e uniformidade do instrumento no contexto peruano.

Despite considerable research efforts to refine and apply the PPCT model in sports settings, there remains a lack of guidance on its practical implementation, both in research and elite athlete practice. This paper aims to propose a methodology for operationalizing the theory specifically tailored to elite sports. This involves (a) elucidating the operationalization of the Process, Person, Context, and Time components within the PPCT framework; (b) exploring the utilization of the PPCT model in sports contexts, integrating empirical research findings; and (c) presenting recommendations for designing and executing elite athlete-centered interventions and development programs. These athlete-centered initiatives have the potential to effectively address athletes’ needs and enhance their performance levels. Recognizing the significance of customizing interventions to individual athlete attributes, fostering positive relationships, addressing environmental influences, and acknowledging transitional stages is crucial for maximizing athletes’ well-being, performance, and overall success. By examining the four key components of the bioecological model – including contextual aspects of sport (microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem), athlete attributes (dispositions, resources, demands), the context-athlete relationship dynamics, and the temporal dimension (chronosystem) to understand how temporal changes impact athletes’ trajectories – this paper intentions to advance understanding of the bioecological factors shaping elite athletes’ experiences. Psychological interventions targeting individual-environment congruence for elite athletes carry significant implications. These interventions should be intricately personalized to meet the distinctive needs and characteristics of each athlete, contributing to more effective and tailored support within elite sports environments.

The Self-Determination Theory emphasizes the importance of fulfilling three psychological needs: autonomy, positive social relationships, and competence. In sports, addressing these needs depends on the motivational climate created by the coach. This study aimed to investigate how athletes with dwarfism perceive the motivational climate created by their coaches, their satisfaction with basic psychological needs, and their sense of empowerment. Four Paralympic athletes with dwarfism in athletics were interviewed. Data were collected through semi-structured, individual interviews with thematic questions, and organized using discourse analysis. Athletes reported positive perceptions of autonomy, noting that it enhanced their motivation and voluntary participation in sports. Perception of competence was also positively evaluated, with all athletes confident in their sporting abilities. Positive social relationships were highlighted as important, although athletes faced discrimination outside of sports. Regarding the motivational climate, athletes identified coaching feedback practices as crucial for their motivation. The perception of empowerment was linked to concepts of equality and family support, emphasizing the role of the sporting environment and the coach in promoting athletes' motivation and empowerment. The positive sports context and favorable motivational climate created by coaches significantly contributed to the athletes' sense of autonomy, competence, and empowerment. However, social challenges outside of sports still impact their social relationships. Received on: 01/08/2024Reformulated on: 13/10/2024Accepted on: 14/10/2024

The Mental Toughness (MT) construct is considered an essential component of sports performance, therefore, it is important to examine how programs to develop MT are being offered and applied to athletes. In this sense, the objective of this study was to review the literature in relation to psychological training programs (PST) applied to the development of Mental Toughness in the sport context. The Scielo, PubMed, SportDiscus, BVS, Embase, and Psynet databases were used, considering the Portuguese, English and Spanish languages. The program EndNote® was used to store and organize the material. The inclusion criteria were full papers, with athletes, investigating the psychological training for MT development; the exclusion criteria were: review studies, studies of areas other than sports, and psychological training carried out with injured athletes. The results show 1.858 studies and, from this total, ten studies were included for synthesis and qualitative analysis. The findings show four studies used collective modalities, seven used individual modalities, four studies with adult athletes and six with teenage athletes. Concerning the structure of the programs, six studies used traditional PST activities, while two worked with specific activities to develop MT. For the pre- and post-evaluation, all ten studies used tools that measure MT. From the analysed studies, nine show an increase in MT scores after the interventions. In conclusion, the psychological training programs geared to developing the MT are not different from traditional PST programs, both in terms of the psychological skills worked on, the activities performed and the number of sessions. El constructo Mental Toughness (MT) se considera un componente esencial del rendimiento deportivo, por lo tanto, es importante examinar cómo se ofrecen y aplican a los atletas los programas para desarrollar MT. En este sentido, el objetivo de este estudio fue revisar la literatura en relación a los programas de entrenamiento psicológico (PST) aplicados para el desarrollo de la Robustez Mental en el contexto deportivo. Se utilizaron las bases de datos Scielo, PubMed, SportDiscus, BVS, Embase y Psynet, considerando los idiomas portugués, inglés y español. Se utilizó el programa EndNote® para almacenar y organizar el material. Los criterios de inclusión fueron artículos completos, con atletas, que investigaran el entrenamiento psicológico para el desarrollo de MT; los criterios de exclusión fueron: estudios de revisión, estudios de áreas distintas al deporte y entrenamiento psicológico realizado con atletas lesionados. Los resultados muestran 1.858 estudios y, de ese total, se incluyeron diez estudios para síntesis y análisis cualitativo. Los hallazgos muestran que cuatro estudios utilizaron modalidades colectivas y siete utilizaron modalidades individuales, siendo cuatro estudios con atletas adultos y seis con atletas adolescentes. En cuanto a la estructura de los programas, seis estudios utilizaron actividades tradicionales de PST, mientras que dos trabajaron con actividades específicas para desarrollar MT. Para la evaluación previa y posterior, los diez estudios utilizaron herramientas que miden MT. De los estudios analizados, nueve muestran un aumento en las puntuaciones de MT después de las intervenciones. En conclusión, los programas de entrenamiento psicológico orientados al desarrollo de la MT no se diferencian de los programas tradicionales de PST, tanto en las habilidades psicológicas trabajadas, las actividades realizadas y el número de sesiones. O construto Robustez Mental (RM) é considerado um componente essencial do desempenho esportivo, portanto, é importante analisar como os programas para desenvolver a RM estão sendo oferecidos e aplicados aos atletas. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi revisar a literatura em relação aos programas de treinamento psicológico (PST) aplicados para o desenvolvimento da Robustez Mental no contexto esportivo. Foram utilizadas as bases de dados Scielo, PubMed, SportDiscus, BVS, Embase e Psynet, considerando os idiomas português, inglês e espanhol. O programa EndNote® foi utilizado para armazenar e organizar o material. Os critérios de inclusão foram artigos completos, com atletas, investigando o treinamento psicológico para o desenvolvimento da RM; os critérios de exclusão foram: estudos de revisão, estudos de outras áreas que não o esporte e treinamento psicológico realizado com atletas lesionados. Os resultados mostram 1.858 estudos e, desse total, dez estudos foram incluídos para síntese e análise qualitativa. Os achados mostram que quatro estudos utilizaram modalidades coletivas e sete utilizaram modalidades individuais, sendo quatro estudos com atletas adultos e seis com atletas adolescentes. Quanto à estrutura dos programas, seis estudos utilizaram atividades tradicionais do PST, enquanto dois trabalharam com atividades específicas para desenvolver a RM. Para a pré e pós-avaliação, todos os dez estudos utilizaram instrumentos que medem a RM. Dos estudos analisados, nove mostram um aumento nos escores da RM após as intervenções. Em conclusão, os programas de treinamento psicológico voltados ao desenvolvimento da RM não diferem dos programas tradicionais de PST, tanto em termos de habilidades psicológicas trabalhadas, quanto nas atividades realizadas e no número de sessões.

The objectives of this study were to assess the psychometric properties of the Coach-created Empowering and Disempowering Motivational Climate Questionnaire (EDMCQ-C) by testing four different hypotheses. A procedure of translation and adaptation of the instrument between different languages and cultures was carried out. A total of 350 national level Brazilian athletes (aged between 15 and 17 years; mean = 17.0, SD = 1.7) completed the questionnaire. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling (ESEM) were performed. Consistent with previous work on the EDMCQ-C, all solutions failed to achieve suitable levels of fit for a hierarchical model represented by five climate dimensions (autonomy-supportive, controlling, task-involving, ego-involving, and socially-supportive) and two global dimensions (empowering and disempowering). The 2-ESEM solution provided a satisfactory fit for the first-order model with two global factors supported. The 2-ESEM version of the questionnaire showed adequate predictive and discriminant validity, good internal consistency, and invariance across gender. Such results suggest that the EDMCQ-C is a promising scale to assess Brazilian athletes' perception of the over-arching empowering and disempowering features of the coach-created motivational climate.

Recently, the skill to play games has led to the professionalization of the activity in the form of “eSports” (electronic sports). Despite the popularity of eSports, little is known about its professional players from a psychological perspective. Given the importance of the coach-created environment in the athletes’ motivational processes, this study aimed to investigate the key psychological dimensions of the coach-created climate in 75 Brazilian professional players of League of Legends (LoL) considering the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Achievement Goal Theory (AGT). Fourteen hypotheses were tested, of which seven were confirmed. The empowering climate was a predictor of basic psychological-needs satisfaction and indirectly influenced autonomous motivation. The need satisfaction had a significant impact on both autonomous motivation and on lack of motivation, which, in turn, explained 56% of the variance in well-being and the intention to keep playing eSports. The disempowering climate was a predictor of psychological-needs thwarting but had no significant impact on autonomous motivation or lack of motivation. The results obtained support SDT and AGT in the context of eSports and were similar to those conducted with athletes from traditional sports, indicating that the empowering-and-disempowering-coaching-climates conceptualization applies not only to traditional sports athletes but also to professional eSports players.

El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue adaptar y evaluar culturalmente las propiedades psicométricas del Life Orientation Test para el contexto deportivo (LOT-S). La muestra consistió en 953 jóvenes atletas brasileños de ambos sexos, con una edad media de 16 años. Los resultados del análisis factorial confirmatorio produjeron dos dimensiones correlacionadas, que reflejan optimismo y pesimismo, y brindaron apoyo para un modelo de dos factores. Se encontró un ajuste satisfactorio para LOT-S con 6 ítems (χ2=10.96, df=8; RMSEA=.020 (IC 90%=.021-.049); CFI=.995; TLI=990; NFI=.980; GFI=.996; SRMR=.032). También se generaron pruebas satisfactorias de consistencia interna a través del análisis de cargas factoriales y valores t. Los índices alfa de Cronbach (.68/ .65) y la Fiabilidad Compuesta (.72/ .65) fueron adecuados en las variables latentes Optimismo y Pesimismo, respectivamente. Los valores de varianza promedio extraídos fueron insatisfactorios, sin embargo, las correlaciones positivas con Optimismo y las correlaciones negativas con Pesimismo entre Motivación, Resiliencia y Bienestar fueron indicativas de validez convergente. Las correlaciones entre las variables latentes en comparación con las raíces cuadradas de los valores de varianza promedio extraídos de cada constructo mostraron que el modelo tiene validez discriminante. Se logró la invariancia configuracional, métrica y escalar, lo que indica que LOT-S puede medir atletas de ambos sexos por igual. Aunque se necesitan más estudios para confirmar las propiedades psicométricas del instrumento, la adaptación de LOT al contexto deportivo fue el primer paso en el futuro sobre la influencia del Optimismo en el rendimiento deportivo Palabras clave: optimismo; pesimismo; dimensionalidad; estudio de validación The main objective of this research was to culturally adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Life Orientation Test version for the sports context (LOT-S). The sample consisted of 953 young Brazilian athletes of both sexes, with a mean age of 16 years. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis produced two correlated dimensions, reflecting optimism and pessimism, and provided support for a two-factor model. A satisfactory fit for LOT-S with six items was found (χ2=10.96, df=8; RMSEA=.020 (IC 90%=.021-.049); CFI=.995; TLI=990; NFI=.980; GFI=.996; SRMR=.032). Satisfactory tests of internal consistency were also generated through the analysis of factorial loads and t-values. Cronbach's alpha (.68/ .65) and Composite Reliability (.72/ .65) were adequate in Optimism and Pessimism, respectively. The values of average variance extracted were unsatisfactory, however, positive correlations with optimism and negative with pessimism between Motivation, Resilience and Well-Being were indicative of convergent validity. The correlations between the latent variables compared to the square roots of the average variance extracted values of each construct showed that the model has discriminant validity. The configural, metric and scalar invariance was achieved, indicating that the LOT-S can measure athletes of both sexes equally. Although more studies are needed to confirm the psychometric properties of the instrument, adapting the LOT to the sport context was the first step in the future works about the influence of Optimism on sports performance. Keywords: optimism; pessimism; dimensionality; validation study. O principal objetivo desta pesquisa foi adaptar culturalmente e avaliar as propriedades psicométricas do Life Orientation Test para o contexto esportivo (LOT-S). A amostra foi composta por 953 jovens atletas brasileiros de ambos os sexos, com idade média de 16 anos. Os resultados da análise fatorial confirmatória produziram duas dimensões correlacionadas, refletindo otimismo e pessimismo e forneceram suporte para um modelo de dois fatores. Foi encontrado um ajuste satisfatório para LOT-S com seis itens (χ2=10.96, df=8; RMSEA=.020 (IC 90%=.021-.049); CFI=.995; TLI=990; NFI=.980; GFI=.996; SRMR=.032). Testes satisfatórios de consistência interna foram gerados através da análise de cargas fatoriais e valores-t. Os índices alfa de Cronbach (.68/ .65) e de Confiabilidade Composta (72/ .65) foram adequados para Otimismo e Pessimismo, respectivamente. Os valores de variância média extraída foram insatisfatórios, no entanto, correlações positivas entre Otimismo e negativas entre Pessimismo e Motivação, Resiliência e Bem-Estar foram indicativos de validade convergente. As correlações entre as variáveis latentes comparadas às raízes quadradas dos valores de variância média extraída de cada construto mostraram que o modelo possui validade discriminante. A invariância configural, métrica e escalar foi alcançada, indicando que o LOT-S pode medir atletas de ambos os sexos igualmente. Embora sejam necessários mais estudos para confirmar as propriedades psicométricas do instrumento, a adaptação do LOT ao contexto esportivo foi o primeiro passo no futuro para a influência do otimismo no desempenho esportivo Palavras-chave: otimismo; pessimismo; dimensionalidade; estudo de validação.

Soccer players inescapably live under stress during the sportive career, and many real-life aspects of soccer situations operate in the ongoing performance. This study’s main objective was to elaborate the List of Stressors in Professional Indoor and Field Soccer, a self-report instrument designed to measure the impact of 77 soccer situations upon the sport performance. Participants were 138 indoor and field soccer players from the Brazilian Premier League. Each situation was evaluated on a 7-point scale, ranging from the most negative (−3) to the most positive (+3). Data were analyzed according to the players’ perception of the items: distress or eustress and its intensity, and after that, situations perceived as plus −1 and +1 were compared by time in which they were experienced and distributed among five categories established by the literature: Expectations about the Performance, Personal Factors, Competition Aspects, Training Demands, and Relationship with Significant People. Narratives of athletes’ experiences were also used to discuss the results. An Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling using Bi-factorial (BI-ESEM) was employed to assess the factor structure. For the total participants, 49 situations were perceived as distress and 28 as eustress. Using the criteria established a priori , the distribution was among the five categories in the remaining 32 situations. Differences in perception between less and more experienced players were found in 11 situations. The results revealed that Brazilian professional soccer players experience various stressful situations. These events are important representations of environmental demands and could predict the performance as they are perceived as eustress or distress. Some of these stressful situations are inherent in sport and others adjacent to the sports system or environment. Coach pressure to win and conflicts with teammates are examples of stressors in-sport, family problems and disputes with press or fans are examples of stressors external to the team, also called peripheral opponents, and showed the relative social influence of significant others in soccer performance. We can conclude that the knowledge of the direction of a given stress situation has important practical implications in preparing athletes and helping them face the performance stressors that are part of soccer daily life.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue adaptarse interculturalmente y examinar las propiedades psicométricas de la Performance Perfectionism Scale for Sport(PPS-S) para uso en la población brasileña. Este instrumento fue basado en el modelo teórico de Hewitt y Flett y desarrollado por Hill, Appleton y Mallinson para medir el perfeccionismo en un contexto específico del desempeño deportivo. La validación del instrumento siguió las directrices para adaptaciones transculturales de instrumentos de medidas en ciencias de la salud. Después de la adaptación cultural de la escala original en inglés, el instrumento fue aplicado en 953 atletas (15-16 años) de ambos sexos. El modelo original de la escala fue probado, con análisis factorial confirmatorio, utilizando el software LISREL (versión 9.30). Los resultados mostraron un ajuste satisfactorio con 3 factores y 9 ítems (χ2 = 116,15 p <0,001, RMSEA = 0,063, GFI = 0,974, AGFI = 0,961, NFI = 0,937, CFI = 0,928, NNFI = 915, χ2 / gl = 4,83). Las pruebas satisfactorias de consistencia interna también se generaron a través del análisis de cargas factoriales y valores t.Contrariamente, los índices de alfa de Cronbach y confiabilidad compuesta no fueron adecuados en la variable latente que se refiere al perfeccionismo auto-orientado. La varianza media extractada carecía de buen ajuste y sólo asumió validez convergente en uno de los tres factores del instrumento.La validez discriminante también sugiere evidencia poco contundente y, por lo tanto, más estudios con otras muestras de atletas son necesarios para evaluar de forma más adecuada las propiedades psicométricas del instrumento y afirmar su uso adecuado.

It has been demonstrated that craving for gambling is associated with anxiety and depression in pathological gamblers. Exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, as well as positively influence abstinence rates in individuals with substance use disorders. In this study, we examined the impact of a physical activity program in 33 pathological gamblers. We also analyzed the association between craving and plasmatic levels of stress hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, and prolactin). The program involved eight 50-min sessions. Craving was assessed 24 h before, immediately before, and immediately after each session, as well as on a weekly basis. Before and after the program, we evaluated gambling behavior, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and plasma levels of stress hormones. We identified a significant reduction in craving following each session and at the end of the program. There was improvement in anxiety, depressive symptoms, and gambling behavior. The post-session reduction in craving was accompanied by post-program reductions in craving and anxiety but not by a post-program reduction in depressive symptoms. The craving reduction was associated with a variation in prolactin levels but not with variations in levels of cortisol or adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Dear Editor, Pathological gambling (PG) is characterized by persistent and recurrent gambling behavior despite obvious psychological, financial, and interpersonal negative consequences.Diagnostic criteria are based on criteria for substance dependence, and PG is considered a model of behavioral dependence 1 .Physical exercise has been proposed as an adjuvant therapy for patients undergoing substance dependence treatment 2 .However, there is no study of its efficacy in PG or other behavioral dependences.We report here on the impact of an exercise program in the maintenance of PG patients undergoing outpatient treatment.Treatment consisted of 12-15 cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) group sessions and psychiatric treatment of comorbidities 3 .The 4-week exercise program included one evaluation session followed by seven (twice-a-week) 45-minute sessions (15-minute stretching plus 30-minute running, aiming at 65% of the maximum heart rate for age) supervised by 2 physical educators and a psychiatrist.Nine out of 15 patients who had completed CBT within the prior 2 weeks or who had attended at least 60% of programmed sessions accepted to participate and 8 (5 men and 3 women, mean age = 43.8years) completed the program.Clinical status was evaluated by the 10-item Gambling Followup Scale (GFS) 4 at baseline and at the end of the exercise program.Scores below 29 suggest active PG, scores between 29 and 33 suggest partial remission, and scores above 33 suggest complete remission.Gambling craving was evaluated by a visual-analog Likert-type scale immediately before and after each exercise session.At baseline, two patients presented acute gambling behavior (scores of 18.3 and 25.3), two patients were in partial remission