Journal of ROL Sport Sciences

Exploring the interplay between academic and athletic identities among elite student athletes in tertiary education in Ireland

2024-09-09T17:53:05+03:00

The pursuit of higher education presents unique challenges for elite student-athletes, who must balance academic responsibilities with the demands of athletic performance. Understanding how these individuals manage these dual roles is crucial for developing effective support systems in academic and athletic settings. This study investigated the interplay between academic and athletic identities among elite student-athletes in Ireland, focusing on the influence of motivation and social support. Data were collected using a cross-sectional online survey from 100 elite student-athletes, defined as individuals participating in elite-level sports while enrolled in full-time tertiary education in Ireland. The survey included validated measures of academic identity, athletic identity, motivation, and social support. The results show that the majority of participants identified primarily as student-athletes, with greater emphasis on their academic careers. Motivation was a significant predictor of both academic and athletic identities, while social support had no significant effect. These findings challenge the assumption that elite student-athletes predominantly prioritise their athletic roles and underscore the importance of fostering intrinsic motivation. Institutions are encouraged to implement tailored interventions, such as academic mentorship and flexible academic policies, to support student-athletes in balancing their dual careers. Future research should explore the underlying factors behind the minimal impact of social support and further examine motivation-based interventions.

Investigation of the relationship between five factor personality traits and imagery skills of mounted archery athletes

2024-08-27T10:50:19+03:00

The purpose of this study; It is an examination of the relationship between the personality traits and imagination skills of horse archery athletes. The participant group of the study consisted of 109 athletes who were licensed and actively engaged in horse archery in Turkey in 2024, when the research was conducted. A survey was used as a data collection tool in the study. The questionnaire used consists of three parts: "Five Factor Personality Scale", "Sport Imagery Inventory" and "Personal Information Form" created by the researcher. The data obtained was analyzed with the SPSS package program. In addition to descriptive statistics; t test, one-way analysis of variance and Pearson Moment Correlation test were applied. A relationship was determined between the total personality score of the athletes and cognitive imagery, extraversion, agreeableness, self-control, neuroticism and openness to experience. At the same time, it was determined that the athletes' gender, age, income level and education level did not affect the athletes' imagination levels. It has also been determined that age, income level and sports year affect the personality characteristics of athletes. For athletes involved in archery, imagery in sports is an important factor affecting sports performance. Applied mental training programs can be developed to improve athletes' imagination strategies and strengthen their personality traits.

Investigation of proprioceptive sense in team and individual athletes

2024-10-02T19:50:24+03:00

Proprioception is important for both athletic success and the post-injury process. This study aims to examine the proprioceptive senses of team athletes and individual athletes in different branches. A total of 250 volunteer athletes from Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Sports Sciences participated in the study. The athletes were selected from soccer, basketball, volleyball, handball, taekwondo, tennis, athletics and other individual branches (boxing, kickboxing, karate, wushu, muaythai). The mean age of the students was 20.44±1.73. In the study, dominant shoulder, non-dominant shoulder, dominant knee, and non-dominant knee proprioception measurements of the athletes were made. Since the data did not show a normal distribution, Kruskal Wallis test was used in comparisons between groups. Dunn’s multiple comparison test was used for subgroup comparisons. Mann Whitney U test was preferred for paired group comparisons. According to results proprioceptive sense is not differ according to gender (p>0.05). Dominant and non-dominant knee proprioceptive senses of team athletes were better than individual athletes (p<0.05). Participants who did regular weight training had better non-dominant knee proprioception than those who did not (p<0.05). Proprioceptive senses of both knees of soccer players were more developed than volleyball players (p<0.05). Soccer players had better non-dominant knee proprioception than handball players, and basketball players had better non-dominant knee proprioception than volleyball players (p<0.05). Proprioceptive sense of both knees or shoulder joints did not differ according to individual branches (p>0.05). Proprioceptive sense varies in athletes according to their branches.

The relationship between virtual reality attitudes and metaverse in sports sciences students

2024-08-27T10:42:38+03:00

Virtual reality affects teaching and learning processes in the classroom. Metaverse is a simulated virtual environment that includes virtual reality and augmented reality. The aim of this research is to determine the attitudes of Sports Science students towards the concepts of virtual reality and metaverse and to reveal the relationship between these two scales. The sample of the research consists of students (n=205) studying at Gümüşhane University School of Physical Education and Sports (Türkiye), determined by the easily accessible case sampling method. Data collection consists of questions about students’ gender, age, income, virtual reality or metaverse experience, and time spent on the internet. The Virtual Reality Attitude Scale and the Metaverse Scale were used. The study, which was handled from a quantitative perspective, used the relational-scanning method. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys. SPSS 29.0 package program was used to analysys. Independent Samples T Test was used for gender, age and experience, and One-Way Analysis of Variance for Independent Samples (ANOVA) was used for income and time spent on the internet. Analysis results; It was interpreted with test statistics and p values, significance was based on p ≤ 0.05. The eta-squared formula was used to calculate the effect size. In evaluating the relationship between the two scales, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used and the significance value was accepted as 0.05. As a result, there were no differences in attitudes towards virtual reality and metaverse applications according to gender, personal income and time spent on the internet during the day. Having previously experienced virtual reality or metaverse revealed significant differences in both scales. Having the experience positively affects the attitude towards the concepts of virtual reality and metaverse. Finally, the relationship between the used scales was evaluated and it was seen that these two concepts moderately affected each other.

The effect of the video evaluation system used by the top leagues of the Turkish Volleyball Federation on the decision-making of referees

2024-08-07T19:30:07+03:00

Volleyball, one of the team sports, has become a sport that keeps up with technology while strengthening its place in the international and national arenas day by day. The technology used in team sports can have both positive and negative effects on the decision-making processes of referees during the competition. In this context, the main purpose of the study is to examine the effect of the video evaluation system used in the upper leagues of the Turkish Volleyball Federation on the decision-making processes of referees. In line with this determined purpose, the universe of this research, which was conducted using a semi-structured interview form, consists of a total of 21 referees in the A and AB classes working in the upper leagues of the Turkish Volleyball Federation. The sample group of the research consists of a total of 21 referees, both national and international, who voluntarily participated in the research. In this research conducted with volleyball referees in the A and AB classes, it was determined that the video evaluation system allows the objective management of volleyball competitions. However, the fact that this system was not available in some matches or caused changes in referee decisions did not negatively affect the decisions of the referees participating in the study, and the referees stated that some additions should be made to this system, especially in terms of increasing the image resolution, in order to minimize the disruptions experienced in the video evaluation system during matches.

The effect of secondary school students’ social participation skills on their attitudes towards sports

2024-10-02T12:48:56+03:00

This study aims to comprehensively investigate the impact of secondary school students' social participation skills on their attitudes towards sport. In this context, the effect between social participation skills and attitudes towards sport among middle school students will be examined in detail. This study aims to contribute to the development of strategies to increase young people's participation in sporting activities. The population of the study consisted of 2256 students studying at secondary school level in Sungurlu district of Çorum province (Türkiye). The study was conducted with 342 students aged 12-14 years. The participants' data was collected using the "Social Participation Scale of Secondary School Students" and the "Attitude Towards Sports Scale". According to the results of the study, it was found that there was a significant relationship between family income, sports habits, licensed sports, participation in school sports and students' athletic success and their social participation skills and attitudes toward sports. Social participation skills and attitudes towards sport were found to be more positive among higher income students who regularly participate in sport and school sport. It was also found that social participation skills are better developed and attitudes towards sport are more positive in students who regularly participate in sport. It can be said that this study will contribute to the understanding of the effect between social participation skills and attitudes towards sport and contribute to guiding future research.

Investigation of teachers’ opinions on physical education and sports curriculum

2024-06-30T09:51:59+03:00

This research aimed to examine the opinions of physical education teachers regarding physical education and sports curriculum. In this context, the Physical Education and Sports Lesson Curriculum (Grades 5-8) and the Secondary School Physical Education and Sports Lesson Curriculum (Grades 9-12) prepared by the Ministry of National Education in 2018 were selected as targets to be evaluated by teachers. Therefore, the Physical Education and Sports Lesson Curriculum (5-8th Grades) and the High School Physical Education and Sports Lesson Curriculum (9-12th Grades) prepared by the Ministry of National Education in 2018 were chosen as the target. In the research, case study design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. 16 Physical Education Teachers working in schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in the 2023/2024 academic year, selected by purposeful sampling method, participated in the research. A “semi-structured interview form” consisting of four questions prepared by the researcher was used as a data collection tool in the study. “Saturate App”, a web-based qualitative analysis tool, was used in the analysis of the research. After the research, it was seen that a two-themed structure was formed: “Program Approaches” and “Implementation Barriers”. As a result of the research, it was concluded that Physical Education and Sports Lesson Curriculums have sufficiencies and inadequacies in terms of content, and factors such as lack of lesson hours, field/material deficiencies, and negative geographical conditions make the implementation of the curriculum difficult. In this context, it is recommended to review the Physical Education and Sports Curriculum according to modern needs and to ensure the necessary physical conditions and international accreditations to implement the curriculum.

The effect of volleyball referees’ empathy levels on work engagement

2023-12-03T13:50:36+03:00

The purpose of this research is to examine whether there is a significant relationship between volleyball referees' empathy levels and job dedication. The method of the research was determined based on the relational screening model, one of the quantitative research methods. The sample group of the research consists of 156 female and 65 male volleyball referees actively working in the Central Anatolia region. In the study, the "Empathy Level Determination Scale" and the "Work Engagement Scale" were used to determine the empathy levels and job dedication levels of volleyball referees. As a result of the findings, while no significant difference was detected in the study regarding the empathy level and gender variable (p>0.05), it was determined that the level of work dedication differed significantly in favor of female volleyball referees (p<0.05). As a result of the Pearson Correlation analysis applied in the study, a positive and moderate relationship was detected (p <0.01). Considering the regression analysis results regarding the prediction of work engagement, it was seen that a statistically significant effect was determined in the relationship between empathy level and work engagement (β1=0.35; p<0.05). After all, in addition to the positive significant relationship between the variables in the study, it can be said that female volleyball referees, whose job dedication level was found to be higher compared to the gender variable, also played a decisive role in increasing their empathy levels. Thus, it is thought that female volleyball referees can perform more adequately and effectively than men in match management.

Effect of teakwondo training on self-control, quality of life and self-defense levels in sedentary women

2024-10-06T14:27:30+03:00

In the existing literature, comparisons of physiological and performance data have been made in general with regard to taekwondo training applied to women. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of taekwondo training on self-control, quality of life and self-defense capabilities in sedentary women. The study was conducted using the pre-test–post-test control group model, which is one of the experimental designs from quantitative research approaches and real experimental models. A total of 40 women were included in the study, comprising the exercise group (EG) and the control group (CG). No application was made to the control group. The study programme involved the participants engaging in Taekwondo kyorugi (basic and combined stances) exercises for a period of six weeks, three days a week, with each session lasting 60 minutes. The study employed a personal information form comprising seven questions, a quality of life scale, a multidimensional brief self-control scale and, finally, a physical self-defense scale for women. The data obtained from the study were analysed using the SPSS 21.0 statistical package programme. The sedentary women who participated in the study demonstrated increases in the sub-dimensions of all scales in the training group. Additionally, significant differences were observed in the quality of life sub-dimensions, the initiation sub-dimension of the multidimensional brief self-control scale, and the dangerous physical attack sub-dimensions of the physical self-defense scale for women. In the control group, significant decreases were observed in the mental health sub-dimension of the quality of life scale, as well as in both sub-dimensions of the multidimensional brief self-control scale and in the simple physical assault sub-dimensions of the physical self-defense scale for women. The findings indicated that six weeks of taekwondo training had a positive impact on the self-control, quality of life and self-defense capabilities of sedentary women.

Investigation of conscious mindfulness levels of individuals doing sports in the context of fitness centers in terms of various variables

2024-08-06T21:23:01+03:00

Athlete conscious mindfulness is defined as athletes being aware of their physical and mental states during their training and performance, and increasing their ability to focus and concentrate. Since this level of conscious awareness can directly affect sports performance, determining the awareness levels of individuals who do sports is important for both performance development and the efficiency of training processes. Based on this importance, the purpose of the research was determined as investigating the conscious awareness levels of individuals who do sports in fitness centers. The research was conducted with the voluntary participation of 295 people. A personal information form prepared by the researcher was used to collect personal data, and the Athlete Mindfulness Scale was used to collect athlete mindfulness data. In the analysis of the data, independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey test were used. In general, when the research results are examined, it is seen that gender, education level and time spent on sports are not factor variables on the conscious awareness levels of individuals who do sports in fitness centers; it is seen that the status of doing sports research and having a training program or not are factor variables. This finding indicates that implementing a training program and conducting sports research can increase attention, mindfulness and confidence. As a result, the higher conscious mindfulness levels of individuals who do sports research are an indication that learning about sports and doing research can deepen this process. The higher conscious mindfulness levels of individuals who have a training program reveal that doing regular and planned sports can increase conscious mindfulness.

A review of the transition from traditional marketing to phygital marketing in the sports industry

2024-09-29T12:44:11+03:00

Phygital marketing, a relatively new concept in marketing literature, has been accepted by sports businesses and consumer groups within the sports industry. The sports industry, where goods and services are intensively produced, is an important sector with a huge consumer and producer base with millions of users, viewers, fans and businesses. The marketing process of sports products has always been important for the industry. The technological developments and transformation of social networks that started all over the world after the 2000s have been rapidly reflected in marketing strategies within the sports industry. The sector first started to evolve from traditional marketing to digital marketing, and then from digital marketing to phygital marketing. This transformation has led to the formation of phygital marketing platforms that both consumers enjoy and manufacturers benefit from many advantages and promote and advertise their products in different ways. In this study, which compiles the transformation and change in marketing strategies in the sports industry, articles on phygital marketing published in the Scopus database after 2015 were compiled. Then, examples of phygital marketing in the sports industry were analyzed. This study is important in terms of understanding and spreading phygital marketing in the sports sector. As a result of the study, it was concluded that phygital marketing channels provide great convenience in reaching consumers and phygital marketing applications provide businesses with an advantage in the competitive environment. Phygital marketing strategies have the potential to offer great opportunities to sports businesses and other businesses that benefit from the sector in economic terms.