Maria Westin

Need satisfaction, motivation, and engagement among high-performance youth athletes: A multiple mediation analysis

The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether the various types of motivation articulated in self-determination theory (SDT) mediated the relationship between basic need satisfaction (i.e. competence, autonomy, and relatedness) and athlete engagement. Four types of motivation as assessed by the Situational Motivation Scale including intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, external regulation, and amotivation were examined as mediators of the need satisfaction–engagement relationship. Swedish downhill skiers (N = 192; n = 95 males, n = 97 females) aged 15–20 years completed questionnaires assessing the study variables of interest. Mediation analyses revealed that all four motivational regulations were significant partial mediators of the relationship between autonomy support and engagement. Moreover, except for external regulation, all three motivational regulations fully mediated the association between relatedness and engagement. Finally, intrinsic motivation and identified regulation partially mediated the relationship between competence and engagement. Findings support SDT contentions highlighting the importance of self-determined forms of motivation in mediating need satisfaction and engagement. The mediation patterns and directions for future research are discussed.

Experiences of returning to elite alpine skiing after ACL injury and ACL reconstruction

Abstract Aim: To explore the experiences of alpine skiing at the elite level after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction. Design: A qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted, and an analysis of the manifest content was performed. Participants: Five ski high school students, two male and three female skiers, who had suffered ACL injuries and undergone ACL reconstructions. Results: Seven categories were identified. The participants described their perceived opportunities with regard to returning to alpine skiing after ACL injury and reconstruction as something positive to do with self-belief, being mentally and physically prepared, regaining confidence in their own ability, being given time and using active strategies. In contrast, perceived barriers to a return to elite alpine skiing gave rise to negative feelings, for example, fear, disheartenment, a total lack of or ambivalent confidence in their own ability and the use of passive strategies. Conclusion: The two male skiers returned to alpine skiing. They reported confidence in their own ability, active strategies and support on all levels, as well as enhanced physical ability. The female skiers did not return to their pre-injury level of competitive alpine skiing. They stated a lack of support on all levels, deterioration in their physical ability and two out of three reported passive strategies and no or ambivalent confidence in their own ability. The most important factors were family support, support on all levels, access to a physiotherapist and time given.

Personality Traits in Swedish High School Alpine Skier : A Comparison between Injured and Uninjured Skiers

Objective: Prevention of alpine ski injuries is less studied when it comes to psychological aspects. The aim of the present investigation was to study if there were any relationships between some p ...

Risk Factors for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Competitive Adolescent Alpine Skiers

Background: There is a high risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in alpine skiers. To reduce or try to prevent these injuries, intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors need to be identified. Purpose: To identify possible intrinsic and extrinsic ACL injury risk factors among competitive adolescent alpine skiers. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Between 2006 and 2009, a cohort of 339 alpine ski students (176 male, 163 female) from Swedish ski high schools were prospectively observed in terms of ACL injuries. First-time ACL injuries were recorded. In September, prior to each ski season, the skiers were clinically examined according to a specific knee protocol. Results: Overall, 11 male and 14 female skiers sustained a total of 25 first-episode ACL injuries. The majority of injuries occurred in the left knee (P < .05). Skiers who had participated in alpine skiing for >13 years (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.68-1.00; P < .05) had a reduced risk of sustaining an ACL injury. Eighteen ACL injuries occurred during training, 12 in the technical discipline of giant slalom, and 8 in slalom. Fourteen skiers reported not to be fatigued at all at the time of injury, and 8 skiers reported that they were somewhat fatigued. Conclusion: ACL injuries occurred more often in the left knee than the right. This should be taken into consideration in the design of ACL injury prevention programs. Those who reported a higher number of active years in alpine skiing showed a reduced risk of sustaining an ACL injury. No other factor among those studied could be identified as an independent risk factor for ACL injury.

154 Prevention of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in competitive alpine skiing

Background Alpine skiing is one of the most popular winter sports worldwide. Like other sports alpine skiing can lead to severe injuries irrespective of skiing level. Several epidemiological studies in alpine skiers have reported the knee to be the most frequently injured body part and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury the most common diagnosis. An ACL injury is serious and regardless of gender it constitutes a risk for the skier´s career as well as for early osteoarthritis. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to prevent ACL injuries. Methods This clinical trial is the fourth step in van Mechelns “Sequence of prevention” which is the optimal way to develop an injury prevention program. The intervention group consisted of all available skiers studying at a Swedish ski high school during the ski seasons 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 (n = 308). Skiers, who attending the ski high schools during the seasons 2006/2007 to 2010/2011 assembled to be a control group (n = 456). The prevention program included a video included education on awareness of how to avoid getting into ACL injury situations and exercises focusing on neuromuscular control and core stability. The goal of the prevention was to be equally good on both legs when performing different exercises indoors as well as outdoors on snow. The outcome measure consisted of the number and incidence of ACL injuries during the two year study period in comparison to the five control years. Results In the control group 35 ACL injuries occurred showed a prevalence of 8%. During the intervention years 12 ACL injuries occurred gave a prevalence of 3.9%. The absolute risk rate showed a decreased incidence rate of −0.22 (CI: −0.44–0.00)/100 months attending a ski high school in favour of the intervention group. Conclusions A prevention program focused on skiers ability to perform equilaterally can lead to prevent ACL injuries in adolescents competitive alpine skiers.