Changes in mood states of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes during training and competition

Effect of boxers' social support on mental fatigue: Chain mediating effects of coach leadership behaviors and psychological resilience

BACKGROUND

Athletic fatigue is an inescapable issue in competitive sports. It belongs to a physiological response that is triggered when competitive athletes are trained to a critical point.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to explore the relationships involving boxers' social support, mental fatigue, coach leadership behaviors and psychological resilience.

METHODS

1050 boxers were selected in several provinces across China and investigated on the basis of the Social Support Questionnaire for Athletes, Mental Fatigue Scale, Psychological Resilience Scale, and Leadership Scale for Sport.

RESULTS

Boxers' social support was negatively correlated with mental fatigue and psychological resilience, while it was positively correlated with coach leadership behaviors. Apart from direct effects on mental fatigue, other impacts are imposed by boxers' social support via mediating effects such as coach leadership behaviors and psychological resilience. The total effect value was -0.18, the direct effect value was -0.08, and the indirect effect value was -0.12; furthermore, coach leadership behaviors and psychological resilience play a mediating role, accounting for 65.57% of the total.

CONCLUSION

In order to alleviate the stress from intense competitive training and abate mental fatigue, competitive athletes may be encouraged in subsequent training to seek all-sided social support for social interpersonal relationships. While clarifying the mechanism how the external environment affects individuals, this paper explains the principle of social support on athletes' psychological fatigue and identifies mutual influences between coaches and athletes.

Effect of rapid weight loss on mood states and burnout of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes during a competitive process

The current study aimed to analyze the psychological alterations resulting from rapid weight loss in the mood states and burnout of male Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes. For the purpose of this study, 31 Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes participated, divided into two groups (RWLG: rapid weight loss group and CG: control group). Data collections were performed at three moments (1: baseline, before weight loss; 2: weigh-in, during the official competition; and 3: recovery, 7 to 10 days after the competition), with application of the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) and Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). Considering the outcomes, for body mass, the athletes from RWLG presented mean reductions of 3.5 kg (4.2% of the initial body mass). For mood states, both groups (RWLG and CG) presented a moment effect for tension and confusion, with higher levels during weigh-in compared to baseline and recovery (p < 0.05). For burnout, both groups showed low levels of burnout, with no effect of moment, group, or interaction in the analyses (p > 0.05). Based on these results, it is concluded that weight loss, in the magnitude performed in this study, did not generate an additional impact on mood or level of burnout in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes during a competitive process.

Psychological readiness to return to sports practice and risk of recurrence: Case studies

Returning to sport after the sports injury is a difficult decision because it's multicausal and the fact that a rash decision can result in numerous negative consequences. Given the importance of psychological variables for the correct rehabilitation of the injured athlete and his or her optimal return to sports practice, there seems to be little information on this subject. In this sense, the objective is to determine the relationship between the subjective psychological disposition of the athlete in the process of Return to Play (RTP) with the type of mood profile and his mental health. This is based on the fact that each athlete evaluates his or her recovery differently and has different levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. For this purpose, four athletes participated in the study. Two males and two females from the sports of indoor soccer and soccer, who had just returned to sports after a moderate or severe injury. The average age was 24.25 years. Various measurements were taken after practices and after matches, to assess mood, psychological readiness, anxiety, stress, and depression. The results confirm Morgan's iceberg profile and the influence that subjective psychological perceptions and assessed emotional states have on athletes' incorporation into their sports practice with a guarantee of success.

Examining the Impact of Gym Closures Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Combat Sport Athletes’ Mental Health

Changes in exercise behavior and negative emotional states (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) in combat sport (e.g., boxing, wrestling, martial arts) athletes were examined the month prior to gym closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic (February 2020), and approximately 1 month following gym closures (May 2020). A total of 312 combat sport athletes from 33 different countries responded to the study solicitation. Results indicated a significant decrease in combat sport training following gym closures; however, participation in other exercise activities did not significantly change. Significant mean increases in depression, anxiety, and stress were found following combat gym closures. Regression analyses revealed that number of hours of participants participated in combat sport training added significant incremental variance explained in depressive and stress symptoms above and beyond that accounted for by sex differences, preexisting conditions, and training level. Practical implications regarding losses to preferred exercise activities are discussed.