Psycho-educational group discussions: effective tool to reduce overload in adolescents facing a dual career challenge in sports/arts and studies?

Pendant les années 2011–2013, 151 jeunes talents sportifs et artistes du programme pour talents sportifs et artistiques du Canton du Tessin («Programme pour talents SMS») ont participé à un projet de suivi de leur santé sur le plan psychologique. Les objectifs visés par ce projet étaient l’évaluation du risque de surcharge psychologique de la population observée et le test de l’efficacité d’une intervention psycho-éducative de groupe pour réduire ce risque. Les jeunes talents – subdivisés en un groupe intervention (n=28) et un groupe contrôle (n=123) – ont rempli un questionnaire d’entrée (PRE), mesurant les paramètres psychologiques tels que l’anxiété, les motivations intrinsèques, ainsi que quatre facteurs de burnout et la perception d’un conflit d’intérêt entre pratique sportive/artistique et études. 8 mois après, ils ont été à nouveau interrogés au moyen du même questionnaire (POST), complété par des questions d’évaluation finale. Les réponses aux questionnaires d’entrée ont permis de montrer que 57.6% de l’ensemble des jeunes talents sont potentiellement à risque de surcharge psychologique.

Continue ReadingPsycho-educational group discussions: effective tool to reduce overload in adolescents facing a dual career challenge in sports/arts and studies?

Validation of an electronic jumping ability measurement device for handball specific jumps

The aim of this study was to examine the validity of the electronic jump measurement system Training TesterTM to measure team handball specific jump performance. For this reason, standing reach height and team handball jump specific reach height were determined simultaneously with the Training TesterTM and a motion capture system as criterion measure. The Training TesterTM slightly underestimated the variables of interest. This can be explained by the relative small measuring zone of the Training TesterTM in comparison to the motion capture system. However, the correlation coefficients between both measurement methods were found to be very high.

Continue ReadingValidation of an electronic jumping ability measurement device for handball specific jumps

Apophysiopathies – a review of the literature and new directions

Apophysitis are part of the growth-related diseases within youth athlete population. Despite their high incidence within this growing cohort, many doubts remain. The physiopathology is still debated. Initially, the fragmentation of the ossification center was seen as the main factor of the disease. For few years, this theory has been questioned due to consistent signs of tendon suffering. Apophysitis may have some negative long-term effect on a sporting career. There is currently poor scientific evidence on the optimal management and no treatment has been widely accepted.

Continue ReadingApophysiopathies – a review of the literature and new directions

Effectiveness of an online tailored intervention on determinants and behaviour to prevent ­running related sports injuries: a randomised controlled trial

Objective. Sports injuries are one of the most common injuries in the modern Western society. In line with the increased interest in eHealth, a tailor-based online injury prevention intervention was developed to influence determinants and actual sports injury preventive behaviour. An effect study was carried out among runners. Methods. Runners between 18 and 35 years were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=109) or control group (n=105). Participants in the intervention group were invited to visit the website for 30 minutes. Those in the control group were invited to read magazines that did not contain information about running, injuries or other sport related issues for 30 minutes.

Continue ReadingEffectiveness of an online tailored intervention on determinants and behaviour to prevent ­running related sports injuries: a randomised controlled trial