Abstract Leitch, BA, Wilson, PB, Ufholz, KE, Roemmich, JN, Orysiak, J, Walch, TJ, Short, SE, and Fitzgerald, JS. Vitamin D awareness and intake in collegiate athletes. J Strength Cond Res 35(10): 2742–2748, 2021—Poor vitamin D status is a risk factor for negative health and performance outcomes in athletes, but little is known about how athletes' awareness and beliefs about vitamin D affect their consumption of vitamin D. This observational study investigated awareness of vitamin D for health and performance among collegiate athletes and evaluated the association of vitamin D awareness with its dietary intake. Fifty-two female and 29 male Division I collegiate athletes completed an online vitamin D awareness and dietary intake questionnaire between November 1, 2015, and January 30, 2016. Median intake of vitamin D was 330 International Units (IU), which is below the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 600 IU, but was greater in male athletes (693 IU) than female athletes (263 IU, p < 0.01). The RDA for vitamin D was met by 62% of men and 30% of women. Athletes responded that vitamin D “probably” or “definitely” will play a role in their health (88.9%) and athletic performance (71.6%). However, only 23.4 and 28.4% of athletes reported concern for their vitamin D levels or believed that they were at risk for deficiency, respectively. Results showed small-to-moderate, positive correlations (r = 0.28–0.495, p < 0.05) between aspects of vitamin D awareness and vitamin D intake, particularly with supplemental forms of vitamin D. Given the lack of awareness concerning risk of vitamin D deficiency, and the links between aspects of vitamin D awareness and vitamin D intake, nutritional education programs designed to increase vitamin D awareness in athletes may be an effective strategy to reduce deficiency.

The utility of the heart rate derived variable TRaining IMPulse (TRIMP) for assessing internal training load in ice hockey players is not clear. Having a reliable measure of internal training load during on-ice training sessions would help coaches program exercise training. This study determined the reliability of TRIMP during on-ice training sessions in ice hockey players. Twelve Division I collegiate male ice hockey players (aged 18-23 years) had their heart rate (HR) data recorded during two on-ice practice sessions separated by two weeks. TRIMP and other descriptive HR variables were compared between sessions. TRIMP demonstrated moderate reliability during on-ice sessions. Systematic error, quantified as standardized change in means was negligible (-0.19); random error quantified as the percent typical error (%TE) was moderate (12.2%); and, test-retest correlation was very strong (0.75). TRIMP is suitable for quantifying training load during intermittent work in hockey athletes. The results from our study can be used to determine the threshold for meaningful change in TRIMP, which may aid in informing decisions by coaches and strength training staff regarding on-ice training session difficulty and composition.

The authors examined the relationships among athletes’ perceptions of their coaches’ and their team’s efficacy in a sample of 271 college soccer players (M = 19.84 years,SD = 1.42). Athletes’ perceptions of their coaches’ efficacy were assessed using a modified version of the Coaching Efficacy Scale (CES), and perceptions of team efficacy were assessed using the Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sport (CEQS). A canonical correlation analysis between the variants formed by the CES subscales and the CEQS subscales was statistically significant, Wilks’s criterion λ = .440,F(20, 883.17) = 12.40,p < .001. Significant canonical loadings indicated that athletes’ perceptions of their coaches’ being confident in their ability to motivate (β = −.78) and provide successful game strategies (β = −.49) to the team were the most predictive of the athletes’ confidence in their team’s ability to prepare (β = −.58), persist (β = −.13), and unite (β = −.36) during competition. The authors provide practical implications for coaches looking to enhance coaching and team efficacy that are linked directly to their findings.

The primary aim of this study was to examine relationships between digit ratio (2D:4D) and game-related statistics in professional and semi-professional male basketball players. The secondary aim was to quantify differences in mean 2D:4Ds between starting and reserve players.Using a cross-sectional design, 93 male basketball players from the professional Australian National Basketball League and the semi-professional South Australian Premier League were measured in-season for height, mass, and 2D:4D, with game-related statistics collected end-season. Linear relationships between right and left 2D:4Ds and game-related statistics were quantified using nonparametric partial correlations, and differences in mean 2D:4Ds between starting and reserve players were quantified using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). All partial correlations and ANCOVAs were adjusted for playing experience, body size, and competitive standard.2D:4D was a weak to moderate negative correlate of points scored and assists-to-turnovers ratio, indicating that males with lower 2D:4Ds were generally better offensively as they recorded more points and assists relative to turnovers. The difference in mean 2D:4D between starting and reserve players was negligible.2D:4D was favorably correlated with open-skill sports performance, as evidenced by the better offensive statistics of male basketball players with lower 2D:4Ds. These results probably reflect the organizational benefits of prenatal testosterone and indicate that 2D:4D may be a useful complement to traditional physical, physiological, skill, and behavioral predictors of basketball success.

OBJECTIVE:Digit ratio (2D:4D) is a negative correlate of sports performance, although this relationship may be weak in open-skill sports such as basketball. The primary aim was to quantify relationships between 2D:4D and game-related statistics in semi-professional female basketball players. The secondary aim was to quantify the differences in mean 2D:4Ds between players based on their position in the starting lineup.METHODS:Using a cross-sectional design, 64 female basketball players who competed in the South Australian Premier League were measured in-season for height, mass, and 2D:4D, with game-related statistics collected end-season. Partial correlations (adjusted for age and body mass index) were used to quantify relationships between right and left 2D:4Ds and game-related statistics. Unpaired t-tests were used to quantify differences in mean 2D:4Ds between starting and reserve players.RESULTS:2D:4D was a substantial negative correlate of blocks, rebounds, and field-goal percentage; meaning, females with lower 2D:4Ds were generally better defensively as they recorded more blocks and rebounds, and were more efficient scorers, irrespective of their age and body size. Mean 2D:4D differed by position in the starting lineup, as females with lower 2D:4Ds were more likely to be in the starting lineup.CONCLUSIONS:This study found evidence that 2D:4D was a correlate of performance in an open-skill sport. Female players with lower digit ratios tended to perform better in several aspects of basketball, especially defensively, and were more likely to be starters, suggesting they are the best players on the team in their positions. These results probably reflect the organizational benefits of prenatal testosterone.

This study explored the relation between athletes’ sleep quality and imagery ability. A total of 201 athletes (39.3% female, 60.7% male; Mage = 23.28 years, SD = 6.00) completed the Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Simple regression analyses revealed that global sleep quality predicted affect imagery ability. Multiple regression analyses revealed that daytime dysfunction predicted global imagery ability as well as skill, strategy, affect, and mastery imagery ability dimensions. In addition, use of sleeping medication predicted global imagery ability, as well as goal and affect imagery ability dimensions. Results provide some support for Cumming and Williams’ revised applied model of deliberate imagery use, suggesting that individual factors influence the effectiveness of imagery use. Specifically, athletes who have no disruption to daily functioning due to sleep find it easier to image sport-related content.

This study examined personal- and imagery-related characteristics that influenced the degree to which coaches advised their athletes to use imagery. Also included were coaches’ perceptions of the effectiveness and functions of images. Collegiate basketball coaches (n = 443) completed a modified Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ). Results showed that coaches rarely advised their athletes to use imagery (M = 2.50, SD = 1.80, on a 0 = “not at all” to 7 “all the time” scale). However, when they did advise their athletes to use imagery, they were most likely to encourage Motivation General-Mastery imagery, followed by Cognitive Specific, Cognitive General, Motivation Specific and Motivation General-Arousal. Positive correlations were found between frequency and effectiveness ratings for all SIQ subscales. Coaches indicated that the images typically served more than one function. Of the personal characteristics (i.e., gender, age, education level, status, years coaching, win percentage), only coaching status and win percentage were significantly related to the frequency with which coaches advised their athletes to use imagery and none of these variables were related to the coaches’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the images. All of the imagery-related characteristics (i.e., past training in imagery, use of imagery as an athlete, knowledge of imagery techniques, confidence in advising athletes to use imagery) were related to how often coaches advised their athletes to use imagery and the perceived effectiveness of the images. Coaches’ interest in imagery education programs, coupled with the findings that coaches with imagery training were more likely to encourage their athletes to use imagery, suggests that future coaching education programs may benefit from including information about imagery.

Abstract The study provides a comprehensive examination of how successful hockey players use imagery and replicates and extends other imagery research by considering skill level (high school, college and professional). The key variables of interest were the frequency of imagery use, the perceived function of imagery, imagery direction, and confidence in using imagery. Results are presented from the subscale and individual item level as based on the Sport Imagery Questionnaire. Overall, MG-M imagery was used the most, and most images were considered to serve this function. Some images were debilitative - but they were not used very often. Athletes were confident in their ability to use imagery and in most cases confidence was positively correlated with imagery use.

Abstract This study provides a comprehensive summary at how coaches (n = 214) used imagery. The results highlight the usefulness of Paivio’s (1985) model and corresponding measure (SIQ: Hall et al., 1998) for use with coaches. Descriptive statistics for how often coaches used imagery, why they use imagery and their perceptions of the direction (effectiveness) of the images are provided at the subscale and item levels. Also described is the relationship between imagery use and effectiveness. Several personal, coaching, and imagery-related variables were also shown to be related to imagery use and perceptions of effectiveness.

Sullivan & Feltz (2003) offered a preliminary multidimensional measure of communication in team sports, the Scale for Effective Communication in Team Sports (SECTS). The current research attempted to further the development and support for the psychometric properties and validity of the measure. In one study, 350 athletes completed an updated version of the SECTS. Confirmatory factor analyses showed good support for the 4-factor structure. Correlations to team cohesion offer construct validity for the scale. A second study, with an independent sample (N = 79), revealed that team performance was negatively related to the communication of Distinctiveness at the team level. This updated version of the SECTS represents a parsimonious, valid, and reliable operational definition of sports-specific effective team communication.

Previous research found that highly identified fans report a willingness to engage in a variety of behaviors designed to assist their team, including instrumental aggression, illegal/unethical acts, and superstitious behaviors. The current investigation extended past research by investigating a willingness to engage in acts of desperation (e.g., giving up all drinks except water) if doing so would guarantee a championship. It was hypothesized that higher levels of team identification and rooting for a team that had failed to win a recent championship would predict willingness to consider the acts of desperation. Participants (n = 655) completed a questionnaire packet assessing demographics, team identification with one's favorite Major League Baseball team, and willingness to consider 22 acts of desperation. Regression analysis confirmed both hypotheses and also indicated that men were more likely than women to consider the acts of desperation.

Gunnar Borg's Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE) has been demonstrated to be a valid instrument for measuring intensity during exercise. However, when dissociative elements (e.g., music videos) are employed during exercise (ostensibly to divert attention from the intensity-related discomfort), the potential for measurement-related confounds may arise. Specifically, it is possible that being asked for RPE ratings when dissociative elements are being purposefully used to distract an exerciser from various discomforting internal cues, may cause the individual to refocus attention on such unpleasant cues, thus affecting the RPE scores. PURPOSE: To assess whether frequently asking for RPE during exercise influenced RPE, exercise enjoyment (ENJ), exercise duration, total work output, relative work output, and work rate. METHODS: Forty-three participants aged 19-50 years were randomly assigned to either a control group (post-exercise RPE only), or an experimental group in which participants were frequently asked for RPE during the activity. All participants were asked to cycle for approximately 20 minutes at their preferred intensity while watching music videos. All gave post-exercise RPE and ENJ ratings. Participants were not aware that their exercise duration, work output, and work rate was being measured. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between groups for RPE measurement modality on perceived exertion, ENJ, exercise duration, total work output, relative work output, or work rate. Also, in the experimental group, there was no significant difference between the mean of the RPE measurements taken during exercise and the post-exercise RPE. CONCLUSION: Since a recent study with no dissociative elements (Corbett et al., 2009) did show an effect for frequent RPE measurement, these results suggest that the presence of a strong dissociative element (i.e., music videos) may have exhibited an overriding influence on any effect frequent RPE measurement during exercise may have had. Further study is needed to confirm these results.

Knowledge of imagery is a required competency for athletic trainers (ATs) but research has yet to consider imagery use by ATs despite its relevant application for learning, planning, and controlling emotions in high stakes situations like rehabilitation, competency exams or novel injury situations. Aligned with the Applied Model of Mental Imagery, this study examined the cognitive and motivational functions of imagery used by 59 certified ATs and 34 AT students (N = 93, 19-48 years of age). Participants completed the Sport Imagery Questionnaire modified for the population. Image function and direction were also considered. Imagery training was only reported by 23% of the participants but 50% reported encouraging their athletes to use imagery and 86% believed the skill enhances their duties. Internal consistencies of the five image content subscales ranged from .83 to .68 and inter-scale correlations ranged from .72 to .76. ATs reported using MG-Mastery most frequently followed by CS-Skills CG-Strategies MG-Arousal and MSGoals. Independent t-tests indicated MG-Goals was used more by students than certified ATs, t(91)=2.04, p<.05, and by non-practicing ATs than those who practiced, t(91)=-4.01, p<.001. Participants from curriculum programs reported more use of MG-Arousal than those from internship programs, t(91)=2.23, p=.05 and there was no gender variation across subscales. A trend of significant, negative correlations between education and the three motivation functions of imagery indicated the more educated ATs used imagery less for controlling emotions, mastering skills and setting goals. However, overall, the most frequently cited reason for using individual images was for confidence, followed by anxiety, goals, and skills and strategies. The majority of images were perceived to help job performance while one CG-Strategies and 4/5 MG-Arousal items were perceived as harmful to performance. Enhancing AT curricula with systematic training in psychological skills would enhance AT performance and disseminate information to clients.