Eike Emrich

The frequency of doping in elite sport: Results of a replication study

The difficulty of measuring the prevalence of doping in elite sport is a recurring topic in the scientific literature on doping. The Randomized Response Technique is a method for asking such embarrassing or even threatening questions while allowing the respondents to answer honestly. It was used to measure the prevalence of doping among German squad athletes by Pitsch et al. (2005, 2007). In a replication study with better sampling control, it was possible to replicate the general trend of the data from the 2005 study. Nevertheless, there are differences in the details between the two sets of findings. An additional explorative analysis reveals that gender has an important impact on doping decisions. Most theories of doping, especially those derived from systems theory or economic game theory address neither the central findings nor the influence of gender. Based on these findings, we will discuss questions of theory development in relation to empirical evidence.

Evaluation of the support of young athletes in the elite sports system

Abstract The paper addresses the extraction and empirical testing of the hard core of assumptions underlying the construction principles of the German supportive system in youth elite sport. The support system turns out to be based on a mainly input-oriented concept. Invested sport-related time is regarded as a critical input variable and extensive and intensive time economy is systematically aimed at. Among 1,558 national squad athletes in all Olympic sports, those with international and with national success at each junior age and elite age are compared regarding their former juvenile success and volume of training and participation in support programmes. Effects of juvenile training- and support-related variables vary over time and in some cases turn into the opposite in the long run. Juvenile success, the training volume in the individual’s current main sport, and the inclusion in support programmes have no significant or negative effects on long-term success in elite sport. In contrast, international elite athletes are characterized by a higher juvenile training volume only in other disciplines beyond the individual’s current main sport and correspondingly by a decelerated juvenile training-, competition-, and support-related development in their main sport. Results are discussed by integrating social science, training science, economic, and educational perspectives.

Considering long-term sustainability in the development of world class success

Abstract The developmental practice patterns leading to the highest levels of success remain a subject of debate. The present study purposes to extend the body of empirical research by analysing athletic biographies from a large sample of German national squad athletes across all Olympic sports (n=1558; 57% male, 43% female). In a combined retrospective and longitudinal study utilising postal questionnaires, we evaluated the age at onset, volume, domain-specificity, variability in training and competition and success attained at different ages. Developmental practice patterns leading to rapid adolescent success and long-term senior success were inconsistent, and in some aspects contradictory. An early start-age for training and competition, early specialisation, high-intensity specific practice in the respective domain sport and little or no involvement in other sports (OS) favoured early adolescent success. Juvenile success, however, did not contribute to individual differences in success achieved at a senior age (−0.09<r s <0.03). Senior world class performers differed from national class athletes in a later age for onset of training and competition in their domain sport, later specialisation (14.4 vs. 12.1 years), more involvement in OS (training 66% vs. 51%; competitions 53% vs. 39%), but not in practice volume in their domain sport at any age. Findings were confirmed with longitudinal testing and were widely consistent across types of sports. These findings are interpreted relative to correspondence to deliberate practice and DMSP frameworks while drawing on the concept of long-term sustainability.

Doping in elite sports in Germany: results of a www survey

Abstract It is still unknown how many top-level athletes use banned drugs or practices. In a www survey, we used the randomized response technique to shed light on this issue. With the question “Have you ever used banned substances or methods in order to enhance your performance?”, we established a lower interval limit of 25.8% and an upper limit of 48.1%. In the current season we found at the lower end of the scale 20.4% and at the upper end 38.7% of athletes who admit to using illegal drugs or methods. Throughout their whole athletic career, we calculated 51.9% honest non-dopers and in the current season 61.3%.

Outcome Effects of Single-Set Versus Multiple-Set Training—An Advanced Replication Study

The starting point of this review is the assumption that single-set training (SST) can be regarded as an equal alternative to multiple-set strength training. On the basis of 72 primary studies, the meta-analysis dealt with the problem of single-set vs. multiple-set training (MST). The effectiveness of these training methods was examined depending on various interventions. Apart from qualitative decision aspects, the effectiveness was checked on the basis of effect size. Generally speaking, it can be stated that MST, depending on factors like age, training experience, duration of the study, etc., offers several advantages over single-set regimes (F = 3.71; df = 1; p = 0.06; η2 = 0.02), especially when combined with periodization strategies, and it can be applied very successfully for increasing maximal strength in long-time effects. Therefore, the outcome effects of both methods are the same in short-time interventions. For longer-time interventions (F = 15.74; df = 1; p < 0.05; η2 = 0.12) and for advanced subjects with the goal of optimizing their strength gain, however, multiple-set strategies are superior (F = 7.32; df = 1; p < 0.05; η2 = 0.06).

Strength training adaptations after cold-water immersion.

Abstract Fröhlich, M, Faude, O, Klein, M, Pieter, A, Emrich, E, and Meyer, T. Strength training adaptations after cold-water immersion. J Strength Cond Res 28(9): 2628–2633, 2014—Several studies analyzed the effectiveness of cold-water immersion (CWI) to support recovery after strenuous exercise, but the overall results seem to be conflicting. Most of these studies analyzed only short-term recovery effects, whereas the adaptational aspect has been widely neglected. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of repeated cooling after training sessions (CWI) on adaptations to strength training. Seventeen trained male students volunteered the study. After a 2-week familiarization period, a pretest (T1) of 1 repetition maximum (RM) and 12RM was conducted followed by the 5-week strength training period (within-subject design). After the posttest (T2) and a 2-week detraining period, a retention test (T3) was carried out. Directly after each training session, CWI was applied for 1 randomly assigned leg. Cooling consisted of 3 4-minute intervals with a 30-second rest period. The other leg was not cooled. A significant increase in 1RM and 12RM from baseline to T2 and T3 (p < 0.001), respectively, and a further significant increase in 12RM from T2 to T3 (p ⩽ 0.05) were observed. In addition, a tendency for a large leg effect with higher values for the “control leg” in both parameters (p = 0.08 each) and a moderate time × leg interaction in favor of the control leg was found (1RM: p = 0.11; 12RM: p = 0.09). The percentage change differences between both conditions were 1.6% for the increase in 1RM from T1 to T2 and 2.0% from T1 to T3 in favor of the control leg. Long-term strength training adaptations in trained subjects can be negatively affected by CWI. However, effects were small, and the practical relevance relative to possible recovery effects needs to be considered in a sports practical setting.

Individualistic and Collectivistic Approach in Athlete Support Programmes in the German High-Performance Sport System

Abstract This study assessed the relative significance of athlete-related interventions and of repeated athlete selections and de-selections (individualistic and collectivistic approach) in the development of the collective of successful senior performers through athlete support programmes in Germany. The results from a longitudinal analysis of careers in the squad system over seven years (n=4,686) and a questionnaire panel study over three years (n=244) revealed that the annual turnover of squad members was 44%. Results also showed that the younger the first recruitment of an athlete, the younger the exit out of the system (r=0.92), and the higher the squad level reached, the higher was the age of recruitment into a squad. Interventions applied to the selected athletes showed no significant effects on subsequent interferences in the training process or on attainment of success. The collective of successful senior athletes was developed through regular athlete selection and de-selection rather than effects of athlete-related interventions. The observations are discussed with regard to (a) dissimilar individual career trajectories likely to lead to early inclusion in the support system compared to those likely to lead to long-term senior success, and (b) the functionality of de-coupling self-display and action at the collective level of the organisations.

Testing economic models of volunteer labour supply: some empirical evidence for the German Red Cross

We use a new data set collected by means of a questionnaire study of volunteers of the German Red Cross to test predictions of three competing economic models of volunteer labour supply: the public-goods model, the private-consumption model and the human-capital model. The three competing economic models make different predictions regarding the response of a volunteer’s labour supply to a change in the perceived labour supply of other volunteers. Our empirical results lend support to the public-goods model.

Voluntary engagement in sports clubs: A behavioral model and some empirical evidence:

Voluntary engagement is an important prerequisite for the production of club goods. Although unpaid, the individual decision for or against voluntary engagement can be regarded and formally modeled as a deliberate act of social exchange using elements of behavioral economics. We lay out a simple behavioral model that captures in a stylized way several motives (consumption of the club good, social recognition, human capital, etc.) that may explain why individuals volunteer. We then use results from an interview study to assess the quantitative importance of the different motives, and to shed light on dimensions along which the model can be extended in future research.

Nothing but medals? Attitudes towards the importance of Olympic success

States intervene increasingly in financing and organization of Olympic elite sport in order to maximize national success in the medal table. In Germany and many other countries too that includes practices that have been criticized as unacceptable in democratic societies: funding of medal-promising sports only, early selection and specialization of young athletes, authoritarian tendencies in sport policy, etc. Are those efforts reflected by a strong desire for medals within the population? Is national success regarded as so important that even critical measures are accepted? And would that indicate more general tendencies to nationalistic or authoritarian attitudes? These and other questions were addressed in a survey carried out in Germany in 2012 (N = 899). Results show that medals are indeed perceived as important, especially in lower educational levels, but by far not as important as sticking to sporting values and the rules of fair play. Multivariate analyses reveal that the desire for medal success is highly dependent on the belief in and perception of the Olympic competition. For most of the respondents that does not legitimize unfair practices or exploiting athletes, but partly the struggle for medals is also linked with a limited understanding of fair play and nationalistic or authoritarian attitudes.