Philip J. Sullivan

Coaching efficacy as a predictor of leadership style in intercollegiate athletics.

The present research examined the relationship between the efficacy of intercollegiate coaches and their leadership style. Specific predictions between the multidimensional nature of efficacy and leadership were made. An international sample of 224 coaches (165 male, 58 female) completed Feltz et al.s Coaching Efficacy Scale, and the Leadership Scale for Sports (Chelladurai & Saleh, 1980). Two of the three regression models were significant, with coaching efficacy accounting for up to 42% of the variance in leadership style. Motivation and technique efficacy served as significant predictors for both models. These results are in accordance with the framework of coaching efficacy and leadership within sport, and offer further validity to the construct of coaching efficacy.

Development and Preliminary Validation of the Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sports

This study presents the development and preliminary validation of the Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sports (CEQS). The study was conducted in 3 phases. In Phase 1, a 42-item questionnaire was developed and tested with 271 college-aged student-athletes. An exploratory factor analysis revealed 5 collective efficacy factors with 27 items retained. In Phase 2, again using college-aged student-athletes (N = 286), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a 5-factor, 20-item measure. These factors were named Ability, Effort, Preparation, Persistence, and Unity. In Phase 3, preliminary support for the construct validity (i.e., convergent, predictive, and discriminant validity) of the CEQS was obtained by examining correlations among the CEQS subscales and a measure of team cohesion (Group Environment Questionnaire; Widmeyer, Brawley, & Carron, 1985). A second CFA was conducted on the CEQS to cross-validate the measure. Combined results establish preliminary support for the CEQS.

The Relationship between Intrateam Conflict and Cohesion within Hockey Teams

Traditionally, intrateam conflict has been viewed as the antithesis of team cohesion. However, with a multidimensional view of both conflict and cohesion, certain types of conflict may be positively related to some aspects of cohesion. It was predicted that constructive styles of conflict would be positively related to cohesion, whereas destructive conflict would be negatively related to cohesion. Sixty-two male hockey players completed the Group Environment Questionnaire and Canary, Cunningham, and Cody’s conflict style measure. Higher levels of social cohesion were related to greater use of constructive conflict style and lesser use of destructive style. Task and social cohesion were negatively correlated with greater use of destructive style. Two of the four cohesion factors were predicted from regression models based on the conflict style scores. These results support the hypothesis that constructive conflict may be positively related to cohesion, as well as previous research that inferred that negative conflict was negatively related to team unity.

Higher Intakes of Fruits and Vegetables, β-Carotene, Vitamin C, α-Tocopherol, EPA, and DHA Are Positively Associated with Periodontal Healing after Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy in Nonsmokers but Not in Smokers

BACKGROUND Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease and a significant risk factor for tooth loss. Although a link between diet and periodontal health exists, the relation between diet and healing after periodontal therapy has yet to be investigated. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine whether higher intakes of fruits and vegetables or nutrients with antioxidant or anti-inflammatory activity are associated with greater healing, measured as reduced probing depth (PD), after scaling and root planing (SRP), a cost-effective treatment to manage periodontal disease and prevent tooth loss. METHODS Patients (63 nonsmokers, 23 smokers) with chronic generalized periodontitis who were undergoing SRP participated. Healing was evaluated based on PD, assessed at baseline and 8-16 wk after SRP. Intakes of fruits, vegetables, β-carotene, vitamin C, α-tocopherol, α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were estimated using the Block 2005 food frequency questionnaire and a supplement questionnaire. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were also measured. PD (% sites >3 mm) was modeled in multiple linear regression and analysis of covariance by tertile of intake and adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), baseline PD, examiner, gingival bleeding, and study duration. RESULTS In nonsmokers, PD was associated with fruit and vegetable, β-carotene, vitamin C, α-tocopherol, EPA, and DHA intakes (P < 0.05). PD was not significantly associated with ALA intake or serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Significant associations that included supplements (β-carotene, vitamin C, α-tocopherol) were attenuated or lost, depending on the statistical model used. There were no significant associations within the group of smokers. CONCLUSIONS Dietary intakes of fruits and vegetables, β-carotene, vitamin C, α-tocopherol, EPA, and DHA are associated with reduced PD after SRP in nonsmokers, but not smokers, with chronic generalized periodontitis. These findings may lead to the development of dietary strategies to optimize healing after periodontal procedures. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02291835.

The effect of behavioral synchrony in groups of teammates and strangers

Recent research has shown that individuals tend to have higher pain tolerance after participating in a vigorous activity in synchrony with others compared to after they perform the same activity alone. The current study was designed to examine if the effect of this behavioral synchrony differs according to the social presence of teammates or strangers. Twenty-four individuals rowed on ergometers for 45 min in both individual and group conditions. Half the participants rowed in the group condition with teammates, whereas the other half rowed them with confederates. ANOVA procedures revealed pain tolerance was significantly higher after participating in a group condition than in an individual condition, and that there was no significant difference between a group of strangers and teammates. This higher pain tolerance has been inferred as an indicator of endorphin activity, which may be related to behavioral synchrony.

Rooibos flavonoids, orientin and luteolin, stimulate mineralization in human osteoblasts through the Wnt pathway

SCOPE Several epidemiological studies have shown that tea consumption is associated with higher bone mineral density in women. Flavonoids in tea are recognized as potential estrogen mimics and may positively influence bone metabolism in estrogen-deficient women. Luteolin and orientin, flavonoids from rooibos tea, are of particular interest as rooibos tea contains no caffeine that can be detrimental to bone health. This study analyzed changes in mineral content when luteolin or orientin was added to a human osteoblast cell line and the potential mechanisms involved. Measurements included alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, cell mitochondrial activity, toxicity, and changes in regulatory proteins involved in osteoblast metabolism. METHODS AND RESULTS Mineral was significantly elevated in Saos2 cells treated with orientin (0.1-1.0 μM, 15-100 μM) or luteolin (5.0 μM) and was associated with increased ALP and mitochondrial activity, as determined by the production of p-nitrophenol and the reduction of 2-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, respectively. Greater mineral content was also associated with lower toxicity as determined by lactate dehydrogenase activity and lower expression of TNF-α, IL-6, sclerostin, osteopontin, and osteoprotegerin. CONCLUSION Orientin and luteolin, flavonoids in rooibos tea, enhance mineral content in Saos2 cells. These findings provide guidance for doses to be studied in well-established animal models.

Examining the Influence of Team-Referent Causal Attributions and Team Performance on Collective Efficacy: A Multilevel Analysis

This study examined the relationship between team-referent attributions, team performance, and collective efficacy beliefs in recreational sport teams. A total of 248 recreational volleyball players from 45 different coed teams participated in the study. Participants completed a subjective performance measure and the Causal Dimension Scale for Teams directly following a match and then completed the Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sports prior to their subsequent game. Using hierarchical linear modeling, it was found that both objective and subjective measures of performance positively predicted collective efficacy at the team level. In addition, stability negatively predicted collective efficacy beliefs; however, this relationship was moderated by objective performance.

A Psychometric Evaluation of the Self-Presentational Efficacy Scale.

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Self-Presentational Efficacy Scale (SPES) developed by Gammage, Hall, and Martin Ginis (2004). University students (196 men and 269 women) completed the SPES and measures of social physique anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, and physical activity. Participants also completed the SPES a second time. A series of multivariate data analyses were conducted to examine the SPESs factor structure. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a 3-factor model, with each factor representing a distinct latent variable. Acceptable internal consistency and test–retest reliability were found. Evidence of concurrent validity with respect to sex and exercise status was demonstrated. Convergent validity was also shown, as relationships to exercise participation and self-presentational anxiety were found. Future research should assess the reliability and validity of the SPES in other samples and the relative and unique contribution of the three factors in predicting exercise-related outcomes.

Examining physical self‐perceptions and physical activity of Jamaican youths: A cultural extension of the PSPP

Abstract This study examined the relationship between physical self‐perception and the involvement of Jamaican youths in sport and physical activity. A sample of 1052 high school students aged between 12 and 19 years completed a Background Information Questionnaire and the Physical Self‐Perception Profile. Participants were involved in competitive sport and recreational physical activities, or were non‐participants in sport. Results revealed that the 5‐factor structure of the PSPP as proposed by Fox and Corbin (1989) was not appropriate for the data obtained. A three‐factor model based on the original PSPP items was proposed, consisting of the factors of Physical Self‐Worth, Physical Appearance, and Physical Competence. Significant differences between different levels of sport participation on the three factors were found amongst these factors. Practical implications and proposal for further investigation of physical self‐concept measures in this culture are made.

Communication Differences between Male and Female Team Sport Athletes

Research has been equivocal with respect to sex differences in communication. Although the bulk of the literature suggests that any differences are small to moderate, several characteristics of sport teams suggest that male and female athletes may communicate differently. A sample of 299 athletes (150 female and 148 male) completed the Scale for Effective Communication in Team Sports. Multivariate Analyses of Variance revealed no significant differences between male and female athletes. The researcher concluded that there are no differences between male and female athletes with respect to the frequency of communication of these sports‐specific resources. Considering that the sample and operational definition were selected to maximize the probability of sex differences in communication, this study further supports that males and females communicate similarly.