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An Imperfect List of Eminent Sport and Exercise Psychology Researchers

Allison Smolinski, Olivia McIntyre, Drew Martin, and Jeffrey J. Martin

The purpose of the present study was to identify eminent sport and exercise psychology researchers, based on citation count, and their most highly cited papers. Men (n = 121) and women (n = 32) from 17 different countries (e.g., the United States n = 47 to Ireland n = 1) were identified. Researchers were selected if their h-index was 60 or greater for Google Scholar and Web of Science combined. This criterion reflects Hirsch’s (2005) characterization as follows based on h-index: a successful scientist (20), an outstanding scientist (40), and truly unique (60), for one database. Our criteria of 60 for two databases are equivalent to a designation halfway between successful and outstanding. The results indicate an h-index mean of 103, median of 94, mode of 105, and range of 60–346. Top-cited publications leaned toward more sport psychology than exercise psychology topics. Prominent journals included the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (n = 24) and Psychology of Sport and Exercise (n = 15). Other publications were in related fields (e.g., Psychology and Health). In summary, we have identified the most highly cited researchers in sport and exercise psychology and their single most-cited papers. We hope this information is of both heuristic and practical value to readers.

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Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Relational–Cultural Theory in the Treatment of Female College Athletes

Kelly N. Furr and Tomika Ferguson

Female college athletes struggle with mental health issues at rates similar to their nonathlete peers. Relationships with coaches and teammates can significantly impact mental health. An integrative therapeutic approach that combines cognitive behavioral therapy with relational–cultural theory can provide clinicians with a framework for addressing underlying relational and systemic issues to better meet the needs of female college athletes. A case illustration featuring a Division I female soccer player struggling with negative mental self-talk will demonstrate how to effectively integrate relational–cultural theory and cognitive behavioral therapy when working with female student athletes. This article will discuss the implications for coaches, athletes, parents, mental health providers, and sport psychology practitioners about the integration of relational–cultural theory and cognitive behavioral therapy to enhance relationships with female college athletes to improve their mental health.

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Paving the Path for the Next Generation of Olympic Champions: Development of Youth Athletes Through Pediatric Exercise Science

Alfred Nimmerichter, Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos, and Karin A. Pfeiffer

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Preservice Teachers’ Content Knowledge in Physical Education Teacher Education Programs

Emi Tsuda, Phillip Ward, José A. Santiago, Peter Hastie, Insook Kim, Bomna Ko, and Junyoung Kim

Purpose: This study examined changes in common content knowledge (CCK) among preservice teachers in tennis and volleyball over time from entry to completion of physical education teacher education (PETE) programs in a convenient sample in the United States. Method: Six PETE programs for tennis and five for volleyball were the sites of the study. Participants (tennis n = 245; volleyball n = 238) were preservice teachers who had just entered a PETE program and who finished the first, second, and third years in a PETE program (sophomores and juniors). A demographic background survey and valid and reliable tennis and volleyball CCK tests were the instruments used for the study. Results: Descriptive statistics showed that preservice teachers scored well below the expected level of CCK (80%) in both content areas across the years. Discussion/Conclusion: PETE programs need to do a better job of teaching CCK.

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Promoting Values-Informed Development in an Elite Dual-Career Endurance Athlete

Luke T. Barnes

This case study reports a values-based intervention with an elite dual-career athlete over an intermittent 2-year time period. The longitudinal psychological support process (i.e., intake, needs analysis, case formulation, intervention, and evaluation) is reported, and practitioner reflections are provided at the end of the case study. The intervention focused on the client-led production of personal core values and the exploration of how these could inform the athlete’s behavior change and goal attainment in sport and other life areas. Monitoring and evaluation findings suggested effective integration of values within training and competition settings, based on the observation of client behaviors and qualitative feedback from the client and their coach. The case study seeks to emphasize the importance of practitioner adaptability in developing client-led, values-based interventions that aim to facilitate holistic athlete development.

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Psychological Profile of Hungarian International-Level Distance Runners

Bence Kelemen, Renátó Tóth, Ottó Benczenleitner, and László Tóth

The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychological profile of the 2023 Hungarian National Distance Running Team in terms of personality traits, motivational styles, and competitive anxiety and to explore specific psychosocial factors that characterize the athletes’ mental preparation. The 16 international-level competitors were assessed using validated questionnaires in Hungarian (Big Five Inventory, the revised Sport Motivation Scale, and Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2), and university students competing at professional and semiprofessional levels served as the control group. Results indicated that elite distance runners were primarily intrinsically motivated. Their psychological profile appeared similar to profiles found among athletes in the control group. Significant differences were found in traits, such as openness, conscientiousness, and motivation. Neuroticism was positively associated with athletes’ cognitive and somatic anxiety, with self-confidence providing a protective role. Working with a sports psychologist appeared to have no significant measurable effect on athletes precompetition anxiety. Specific personality traits and motivational structures are essential for elite sporting performance. Further research is needed to better understand and determine the specific components of mental preparation.

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A Qualitative Study Investigating Health Care Professionals’ Views on Barriers to Integrating Physical Activity Into Mild Cognitive Impairment/Dementia Care

Yan Lou, Sixue Hong, and Wei Li

This study aimed to investigate health care professionals’ (HCPs) views on barriers to integrating physical activity (PA) into mild cognitive impairment/dementia care. Semistructured online interviews form 16 HCPs were completed between November 2022 and December 2022. Data were subjected to thematic analysis and were later mapped deductively to the Theoretical Domains Framework. Four themes were identified: (1) “Dementia-inclusive infrastructure or PA recommendations have not yet been systematically developed and implemented;” (2) “Roles and challenges of the multidisciplinary team;” (3) “HCPs believe that patients’ PA participation is influenced by their disease or individual factors;” and (4) “HCPs’ thoughts on current practice and opinions.” Deductive mapping of these themes revealed that 13 of the 14 Theoretical Domains Framework domains influenced it. Integrating PA into mild cognitive impairment/dementia care is subject to several modifiable determinants. Policymakers should focus on improving the environmental context and resources to encourage PA in mild cognitive impairment/dementia.

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Relationships of Physical Activity and Type 2 Diabetes With Cognition in Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites

Fang Yu, Keenan Pituch, Molly Maxfield, Rodney P. Joseph, Jeremy J. Pruzin, Dev Ashish, David W. Coon, Gabriel Shaibi, and HABS-HD Study Team

Problem, Research Strategy, and Findings: Low physical activity (PA) and Type 2 diabetes are associated with cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease, but the evidence is inconsistent and particularly limited by ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of PA and Type 2 diabetes with cognition in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites. The study was a cross-sectional analysis of the Health and Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities (n = 1,982–2,000 after removing outliers). Predictors included Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Episodic memory was assessed by Weschler Memory Scale–Third Edition Logical Memory and Spanish-English Verbal Learning Test, executive function by Weschler Memory Scale–Third Edition Digit Span and Digit Symbol Substitution Test, verbal fluency by FAS and animal naming, and global cognition by the Mini-Mental State Examination. Results show that aerobic PA and HbA1c were not associated with domain-specific, or global cognition, but strength/flexibility PA was associated with FAS (b = 0.404, 95% CI [0.023, 0.761]). Higher aerobic PA was associated with greater verbal fluency for Mexican Americans (b = 0.294, 95% CI [0.96, 0.497]) only. HbA1c was negatively associated with Mini-Mental State Examination (b = 0.838, 95% CI [0.008, 1.656]). For low HbA1c, the association between aerobic PA and Digit Symbol Substitution Test was significant for non-Hispanic Whites (b = 0.838, 95% CI [0.008, 1.656]) in comparison to Mexican Americans. Takeaway for Practice: The relationships between PA, Type 2 diabetes, and cognition vary by cognitive domains and ethnicity. Increasing aerobic activities may be particularly important for Mexican Americans who have elevated HbA1c to potentially improve fluency or executive function.

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Sitting, Standing, and Physical Activity in Australian Passenger Rail Drivers: On the Right Track for Better Health?

Stephanie E. Chappel, Charlotte L. Rasmussen, Corneel Vandelanotte, Janine Chapman, Andreas Holtermann, Anjum Naweed, and Leon Straker

Background: Poor health in passenger rail drivers, resulting from perceived highly sedentary work and leisure time, has implications for public safety. To date, no studies have described the physical behaviors of passenger rail drivers. This study aimed to characterize the physical behaviors of passenger rail drivers by investigating the volume, pattern, variation, and composition of behaviors at and outside of work. Methods: A convenience sample of 31 rail drivers (77% male, median age 51.0 [12.5] y) in South Australia wore an activity monitor on their right thigh for 8 days and completed a work logbook. Physical behaviors (sitting, standing, light-intensity physical activity, moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity [MVPA], and steps) were recorded for workdays and nonworkdays, and work and nonwork time on workdays. The volume, bouts, between-participants variation, and 3-way composition were compared across the 4 time periods. Results: Drivers sat for 10.6 (1.5) hours, did 76.3 (38.8) minutes of MVPA, and took 9727.3 (4088.4) steps daily. At work, drivers were sitting 369.3 (41.8) minutes (187.1 [54.2] min in prolonged bouts) and doing MVPA 31.7 (10.0) minutes. Between-participants variation in sitting time during work (11%) was lower than both nonwork on a workday (19%) and on a nonworkday (24%; P < .001). Compositions at work differed from nonwork on workdays (F = 27.7, P < .001), as did compositions on workdays compared with nonworkdays (F = 6.8, P = .002). Conclusions: Passenger rail drivers were highly sedentary, but also surprisingly active. At work, drivers were more sedentary and had lower variation in behaviors, suggesting work constraints play an important role. Therefore, work may be the most appropriate domain to intervene for promoting healthy physical behavior profiles among these passenger rail drivers.

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Training and Game Loads Across Noncongested and Congested Weekly Microcycles During the Regular Season in a Semiprofessional Women’s Basketball Team

Cody J. Power, Jordan L. Fox, Masaru Teramoto, Vincent J. Dalbo, and Aaron T. Scanlan

Purpose: To quantify and compare loads encountered in individual training sessions and games during noncongested and congested weeks in semiprofessional women basketball players. Methods: Using an observational, longitudinal design, 12 players from the same team had their external (PlayerLoad, relative PlayerLoad, and total and high-intensity inertial movement analysis variables) and internal load (session rating of perceived exertion [sRPE], sRPE-load, percentage of heart rate peak, and modified summated-heart-rate-zones load) monitored across a regular season. Training and game data were categorized into noncongested (0–1 game) and congested weeks (2–3 games). Linear mixed models and Cohen d effect sizes were used for analyses. Results: Comparisons between training sessions revealed higher (P < .05, d = 1.35–5.33) PlayerLoad, total inertial movement analysis, sRPE, and sRPE-load during training session 1 than training session 2 in congested weeks. Comparisons between training sessions and games revealed higher (P ≤ .001, d = 1.10–1.66) sRPE and sRPE-load during games than training sessions 1 and 2 in noncongested weeks, alongside higher (P ≤ .001, d = 1.87–3.55) sRPE during game 1 than training sessions 1 and 2 in congested weeks. Comparisons between games revealed higher (P < .05, d = 0.57–2.82) loads in game 3 during congested weeks compared with all other games. Conclusions: Training appeared to be tapered in congested weeks, likely to account for upcoming increases in game loading, but remained relatively consistent across sessions during noncongested weeks. Individual game loads remained relatively consistent but were noticeably increased when a third game was played in the week.