Isabel Castillo

Coach autonomy support and quality of sport engagement in young soccer players.

Based on the self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000), this study tested a model of the assumed sequential relationships between perceived autonomy support, psychological need satisfaction, self-determined motivation, and enjoyment/boredom. The hypothesized mediational roles of psychological need satisfaction and self-determined motivation were also studied. In a sample of 370 young male soccer players, path analysis results offered support for the proposed model. Total mediation was supported in the case of the psychological need satisfaction in the relationship between autonomy support and self-determined motivation, and partial mediation for self-determined motivation in the links between psychological need satisfaction and enjoyment (positive) and boredom (negative). Implications of autonomy-supportive behaviors provided by coaches for the quality of sport involvement among young athletes are discussed.

Influence of the distance in a roundhouse kick's execution time and impact force in Taekwondo

Taekwondo, originally a Korean martial art, is well known for its kicks. One of the most frequently used kicks in competition is Bandal Chagui or roundhouse kick. Excellence in Taekwondo relies on the ability to make contact with the opponents trunk or face with enough force in as little time as possible, while at the same time avoiding being hit. Thus, the distance between contestants is an important variable to be taken into consideration. Thirty-one Taekwondo athletes in two different groups (expert and novice, according to experience in competition) took part in this study. The purpose of this study was to examine both impact force and execution time in a Bandal Chagui or roundhouse kick, and to explore the effect of execution distance in these two variables. A new model was developed in order to measure the force exerted by the body on a load. A force platform and a contact platform were used to measure these variables. The results showed that there are no significant differences in terms of impact force in relation to execution distance in expert competitors. Significant and positive correlations between body mass and impact force (p<.01) seem to mean that novice competitors use their body mass to generate high impact forces. Significant differences were found in competitive experience and execution time for the three different distances of kicking considered in the study. Standing at a certain further distance from the opponent should be an advantage for competitors who are used to kick from a further distance in their training.

Promoting Adolescent health through an intervention aimed at improving the quality of their participation in Physical Activity (PAPA): Background to the project and main trial protocol

Funded by the European Commission, the Promoting Adolescent health through an intervention is aimed at improving the quality of their participation in Physical Activity (PAPA) project revolved around the potential of youth sport to promote childrens mental and emotional health and physical activity engagement. A theoretically grounded coach education training programme (i.e. Empowering Coaching™), which was designed to create a sporting environment which was more positive and adaptive for young children, was customised for grassroots soccer, delivered and evaluated via a multi-method cluster RCT across five European countries; namely, England, France, Greece, Norway and Spain. In this article, a key part of the protocol of this large and multi-faceted project is presented. The ethical standards and procedures, characteristics of the population targeted and overall study design, and core self-report questionnaire measures completed by the players are described. Information is provided as well on the translation principles and procedures and data-collection procedures adopted in the PAPA project.

Psychosocial and environmental correlates of active commuting for university students

OBJECTIVE To examine psychosocial and environmental correlates of active commuting to university (ACU) and explore its association with overall physical activity among college students. METHODS The sample included 518 students (mean 22.4 years; 59.7% female) from two universities in Valencia, Spain. Weekly estimations of energy expenditure from ACU and total physical activity were obtained. Socio-economic status, self-efficacy, barriers to active transport, access to car and motorbike, access to public transport, walking and cycling facilities and distance to university were assessed. Data were collected April and May of 2009, using a self-administered survey. A structural equation model was used to analyze associations among variables. RESULTS ACU was inversely correlated with access to private motorized transport (car or motorbike). Perception of physical self-efficacy and walking and cycling facilities were positively associated with ACU, while planning/psychosocial barriers were negatively associated. Multivariate modelling explained 19% of variance in ACU. ACU was not related to total daily physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Both psychological and environmental variables were significant correlates of ACU. Present findings provide an empirical basis for interventions to increase active transport among university students.

Adiposidad corporal y bienestar psicológico: efectos de la actividad física en universitarios de Valencia, España

OBJETIVO: Determinar mediante un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales la relacion que existe entre la actividad fisica, la adiposidad corporal, la competencia fisica percibida y tres indicadores del bienestar psicologico en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios espanoles. METODOS: Estudio transversal descriptivo en 639 estudiantes de 18 a 29 anos representativos de las universidades de Valencia, Espana, en el curso 2005-2006. La practica de actividad fisica se evaluo mediante el inventario de conductas de salud en escolares. Se aplicaron las escalas de competencia fisica percibida, autoestima, satisfaccion con la vida y vitalidad subjetiva. La adiposidad corporal se expreso mediante el porcentaje de masa grasa (PMG). Se elaboro un modelo teorico con las seis variables medidas. RESULTADOS: El nivel de actividad fisica de los participantes era moderado, se percibian fisicamente competentes, tenian una alta autoestima, se encontraban satisfechos con su vida y se sentian con alta vitalidad. La actividad fisica se relaciono negativamente con el PMG tanto en los varones como en las mujeres; el PMG se asocio negativamente con la percepcion de competencia fisica; y la competencia fisica percibida se asocio positivamente con la autoestima, la satisfaccion con la vida y la vitalidad subjetiva. El efecto de la practica de actividad fisica sobre la competencia percibida estaba mediado parcialmente por el PMG en los varones; en las mujeres, la practica de actividad fisica se relaciono directamente tanto con el PMG como con la percepcion de competencia, sin la mediacion del PMG. CONCLUSIONES: El aumento de la actividad fisica tiene un gran valor para la salud publica, ya que ademas de contribuir a tener menos grasa corporal, aumenta el bienestar psicologico y mejora la autopercepcion.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being in University Students:

An analysis of psychological well-being (self-esteem and subjective vitality) of 639 Spanish university students was performed, while accounting for the amount of leisure-time physical activity. The Spanish versions of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Subjective Vitality Scale were employed. Participants were divided into four groups (Low, Moderate, High, and Very high) depending on estimation of energy expenditure in leisure-time physical activity. Men and women having higher physical activity rated higher mean subjective vitality; however, differences in self-esteem were observed only in men, specifically between Very high and the other physical activity groups.

Bicycling to university: evaluation of a bicycle-sharing program in Spain

This study examined the change in behavioral stages (e.g. contemplation, action and maintenance) of cycling to university before and after the implementation of a new public bicycle share program (PBSP) and promotion of its use. The study also determined the change in the prevalence, correlates of PBSP use and potential role in the promotion of healthy weight. An 8-month follow-up cross-sectional study (September 2010-April 2011) was carried out among undergraduate students during the first season of implementation of the PBSP in Valencia, Spain. The sample was 173 students (68.2% female) with a mean age of 21.3 years (SD 3.06) who attended a PBSP promotional session. The data were collected by questionnaire. Results indicated a significant increase of 14.6% in the action/maintenance stage of change and showed that 19% of the participants were PBSP users 8 months later. The behavioral stage did not change when students always had access to car/motorbike, lived further than 5 km from the university and had no bicycle stations within 250 m from home. Those most likely to start using PBSP were students who were in the contemplation stage, perceived fewer environmental and safety barriers to active commuting and had one or more stations within 250 m of home. PBSP users expended ∼257 metabolic equivalent·minutes/week bicycling to university, and there was a small reduction in BMI. Findings suggest that PBSPs can be considered as useful promoters of cycling behavior and may contribute to weight control in university students.

Determinants of Leisure-time Physical Activity and Future Intention to Practice in Spanish College Students

Few studies analyze determinants and patterns of physical activity among college students, so it has not been possible to carry out effective interventions to promote this practice. The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between some personal, social, and environmental determinants, practice of physical activity and future intention to practice in a sample of 639 university students (321 men and 318 women), mean age 21.43 years (+/- 2.78). Physical fitness self-perception, physical activity history, and coachs support to practice physical activity have a direct effect on the practice of physical activity and an indirect effect on future intention to practice, both in men and women. The practice of physical activity has also a direct effect on future intention to practice. Likewise, the participation in sport competitions predicts practice of physical activity and future intention in men, whereas being a member of a sports club predicts practice and future intention in women.

Comparing self-reported leisure-time physical activity, subjective health, and life satisfaction among youth soccer players and adolescents in a reference sample

The aim of the study was to examine to what extent young people who play organised soccer rate their leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, life satisfaction, and health more positively and higher than a same-aged population-based reference group (including some adolescents who also played organised soccer). Data from two samples of five countries (England, France, Greece, Norway, and Spain) were included: a sample of soccer players aged 10-14 years who participated in the Promoting Adolescent Physical Activity project [Duda, J.L., Quested, E., Haug, E., Samdal, O., Wold, B., Balaguer, I., …  Cruz, J. (2013). Promoting Adolescent health through an intervention aimed at improving the quality of their participation in Physical Activity (‘PAPA’): background to the project and main trial protocol. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology] and a nationally representative reference sample of 11- and 13-year olds from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. Results from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the participants in the soccer sample, in particular girls, reported a higher level of moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity than those in the reference sample. They also rated their life satisfaction and subjective health more favourably than the reference sample. The associations did not differ according to age or socio-economic status. The results suggest that playing soccer is a positive activity for youth and seems to be a very potent way of increasing regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among girls. Thus, efforts aimed at increasing participation in organised youth soccer may potentially be beneficial to young peoples psychosocial health and hold the potential to increase physical activity, particularly among girls.

Estilo interpersonal controlador del entrenador, frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas, y burnout en futbolistas infantiles

En el presente trabajo, basado en la Teoria de las Necesidades Psicologicas Basicas (BPNT; Deci y Ryan, 2000), se puso a prueba un modelo con la siguiente secuencia: Estilo interpersonal controlador del entrenador Þ Frustracion de las necesidades psicologicas basicas Þ Burnout. Participaron 725 futbolistas varones de la categoria infantil con edades comprendidas entre los 11 y los 13 anos ( M = 12.6; DT = .54) que completaron los instrumentos que evaluaban las variables de interes. Los resultados del analisis de ecuaciones estructurales informaron que la percepcion del estilo controlador del entrenador actuaba de predictor positivo de la frustracion de las tres necesidades y que cada una de estas tres ultimas, se asociaba positivamente con el burnout