Jaime Arenas-Granada

Background: The assessment of psychological characteristics is crucial for the intervention and monitoring of sports performance. However, there is a lack of instruments for measuring psychological characteristics in Colombian athletes. Methods: This research aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the scores obtained from the Psychological Characteristics related to Sport Performance Questionnaire (CPRD in Spanish). Two complementary studies were conducted: Study 1 included 1.305 athletes, comprising 412 women and 893 men, with an age range between 13 and 59 years, divided into age groups; Study 2 included 478 athletes, comprising 150 women and 328 men, with an age range between 13 and 37 years. Results: The four-factor, 37-item CPRD demonstrated acceptable internal consistency for stress control (SC), influence of performance evaluation (IPE), and motivation (M), but inconsistent reliability for team cohesion (TC) (ω = 0.64; α = 0.65), although overall reliability was satisfactory. The four-factor CPRD showed adequate model fit indices. Although the questionnaire demonstrated adequate concurrent validity, convergent validity was not satisfactory. Inverse correlations were observed between the four-factor CPRD and burnout dimensions, and acceptable ratios supporting discriminant validity were identified, along with measurement invariance across sport modality, sex, and age groups (ΔCFI and/or ΔRMSEA ≤ 0.01). Conclusion: The four-factor CPRD provides partial evidence of validity and reliability for assessing relevant psychological variables in the Colombian sports context; however, interpretations based on factor-level scores should be made with caution.

Bilateral deficit (BLD) is traditionally defined as the reduced capacity to produce force during simultaneous bilateral contractions compared with the summed output of unilateral actions. However, in applied sport settings, BLD is frequently estimated from countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, representing a functional rather than a direct mechanical measure of force production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the association between a CMJ-derived functional BLD index and multidirectional performance in soccer players. Forty male university soccer players (age: 23 ± 1 years) performed unilateral and bilateral CMJ. The BLD index was calculated from jump height values obtained during these assessments. Participants subsequently completed the 505 change-of-direction (CoD) test, which was analyzed using two-dimensional video-based motion analysis. Participants were classified according to BLD magnitude into low, moderate, and high BLD groups. Group differences were assessed using Kruskal–Wallis tests with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. Additionally, Spearman correlation analyses were performed using BLD as a continuous variable. Significant between-group differences were observed across all temporal phases of the 505 test (p < 0.001), with players exhibiting lower BLD values demonstrating superior acceleration, deceleration, reacceleration, and overall CoD performance. Significant negative correlations were also observed between BLD and reaction time, acceleration, deceleration, reacceleration, CoD time, and CoD deficit (r_s = −0.42 to −0.69; p < 0.001). No significant associations were found for stride length, acceleration ability, or inter-limb asymmetry. These findings suggest that lower magnitudes of a CMJ-derived functional BLD index are associated with superior multidirectional performance in soccer players. However, given that BLD was estimated from jump performance, the results should be interpreted as associations with a functional neuromuscular performance index rather than as direct evidence of bilateral force production capacity.

The bilateral deficit (BLD) is traditionally defined as the reduced capacity to produce force during simultaneous bilateral contractions compared with the summed output of unilateral actions. However, in applied sport settings, BLD is frequently estimated from countermovement jump (CMJ) height, representing a functional rather than a direct mechanical measure of force production. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the association between a CMJ-derived functional BLD index and multidirectional performance in soccer players. Forty male university soccer players (age: 23 ± 1 years) performed unilateral and bilateral CMJs using a contact platform system, followed by the 505 change-of-direction (CoD) test analyzed through two-dimensional video-based motion analysis. Participants were classified into low, moderate, and high BLD groups according to deficit magnitude. Group differences were analyzed using the Kruskal–Walli’s test with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. Significant between-group differences were observed across all temporal phases of the 505 test (ε² = 0.34–0.59; p < 0.001), with the largest effects found for total CoD time and CoD deficit (ε² = 0.74–0.75; p < 0.001). Players with lower BLD values demonstrated superior acceleration, deceleration, reacceleration, and overall multidirectional performance. These findings suggest that CMJ-derived functional BLD may represent a practical indicator of movement efficiency and neuromuscular performance in soccer players.

Introduction: High-performance athletic training induces substantial muscle fatigue, which underscores the need for effective recovery strategies. Massage therapy has been proposed as a potential intervention to promote post-exercise recovery in athletes. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of massage therapy on muscle recovery following exercise. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 37 football and futsal players, who were allocated to either an experimental group (EG) that received massage therapy or a control group (CG) that attended an educational session. Measurements were taken at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after, and 24 hours later. Muscle soreness was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and physical performance was evaluated using lower-limb mechanical power output, the Reactive Strength Index (RSI) during a Drop Jump, and mean propulsive velocity (MPV) during a back squat. Results: No statistically significant between-group differences were observed in pain perception, jump power, RSI, or MPV either immediately after the intervention or 24 hours later (all p > .05). Conclusion: Applying massage therapy after a fatigue protocol did not produce significant changes in the analyzed physical performance variables. However, a tendency toward reduced perceived soreness was observed after 24 hours, suggesting that potential benefits of massage may emerge after longer recovery windows (>48 h).

Introduction: The Psychological Characteristics Related to Sport Performance Questionnaire (CPRD) is commonly used to support decision-making in sport psychology. However, evidence regarding its reliability using Bayesian analysis and normative data for Colombian athletes remains unexplored. Objectives: (a) To assess the reliability of CPRD scores; (b) To identify normative data for Colombian athletes. Method: A total of 720 Colombian athletes (Mage= 20.3, SD= 5.7) completed the CPRD (55 items), including males (n= 546, 75.8%) and females (n= 174, 24.1%) from 22 different sports disciplines. Participants were drawn from various Colombian regions: Eje Cafetero, Antioquia, Boyacá, and the Caribe. A Bayesian model was estimated to assess internal consistency, using McDonald's Omega (ω) and Cronbach's Alpha (α) coefficients. Results: The global CPRD scale showed good reliability (ω= .87; α= .87). At the factor level, all posterior densities displayed approximately normal and smoothed distributions. Iteration chains demonstrated convergence for each coefficient. The Stress Control (ω= .84; α = .83), Performance Evaluation Influence (ω= .73; α= .73), and Motivation (ω= .75; α= .74) factors showed adequate consistency. In contrast, Mental Skills (ω= .40; α= .35) and Team Cohesion (ω = .57; α = .56) presented insufficient reliability. Item-level reliability within each factor was also analyzed. Normative data in T-scores and percentiles are proposed for each factor. Conclusion: Overall, the CPRD demonstrates reliable scores and is recommended for use; however, caution is advised when interpreting scores at the factor level.

Anxiety in sports has been widely studied by professionals in sports sciences. However, the effect of perceived difficulty and Trait-anxiety on precompetitive State-anxiety is unknown. Through a non-experimental and longitudinal design, this article studied: (i)the effect of the perceived competition difficulty (easy, moderate, and hard) on State-anxiety and, (ii)the effect of Trait-anxiety, sex, and age on the behavior of State-anxiety. Seventy-nine young swimmers (Mage= 13.3, SD= 1.9) male (n= 58, 73.4%) and female (n= 21, 26.6%) were assessed via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The Anova and Manova indicated that the perceived difficulty of the competition affects State-anxiety. Therefore, a higher perception of task difficulty is associated with higher State-anxiety. Additionally, the interaction of sex, age and Trait-anxiety did not show an effect on State-anxiety (p> .05). The interaction of age and Trait-anxiety showed an effect (p> .05). A main effect of Trait-Anxiety on State-anxiety was observed in the perception of easy and hard difficulty. In conclusion, the perceived difficulty the competition affects the athlete's State-anxiety. Resumen: La ansiedad en el deporte ha sido ampliamente estudiada por profesionales de las ciencias del deporte. Sin embargo, se desconoce el efecto de la dificultad percibida y el rasgo de ansiedad sobre el estado de ansiedad precompetitivo. Mediante un diseño no experimental y longitudinal, este artículo estudió: (i) el efecto de la percepción del nivel de dificultad competitivo (fácil, moderado y difícil) sobre la Ansiedad-Estado y (ii)el efecto de la Ansiedad-Rasgo, sexo y edad sobre el comportamiento de la Ansiedad-Estado. Setenta y nueve nadadores juveniles (Medad= 13.3, SD = 1,9) hombres (n = 58, 73,4%) y mujeres (n= 21, 26,6%) fueron evaluados a través del Inventario de Ansiedad Estado y Rasgo (STAI). El Anova y Manova indicaron que la percepción del nivel de dificultad afecta la Ansiedad Estado. Por tanto, una mayor percepción del nivel de dificultad de la competencia se asocia con una mayor Ansiedad-Estado. Además, la interacción entre sexo, edad y Ansiedad Rasgo no mostró efecto sobre la Ansiedad-Estado (p> .05). La interacción de la edad y el Ansiedad-Rasgo mostró un efecto significativo (p> .05). En cambio, se observó un efecto principal de la Ansiedad-Rasgo sobre la Ansiedad-Estado en la percepción de dificultad fácil y difícil. En conclusión, la percepción del nivel de dificultad de competencia afecta Ansiedad-Estado del nadador.

La preparación psicológica es importante para los deportistas en cualquier nivel del rendimiento, incluso para deportistas con discapacidad. Sin embargo, la investigación de psicología aplicada al deporte adaptado es limitada. Con el doble objetivo de identificar las Características Psicológicas (CP) de los deportistas con discapacidad física, y comparar el comportamiento de las CP en función a la experiencia deportiva, edad, sexo, y tipo de deporte (equipo vs individual), se diseñó un estudio no-experimental, transversal. Participaron 87 deportistas con discapacidad física, pertenecientes a la Liga de Antioquia (Colombia) de once disciplinas deportivas: ajedrez, atletismo, arquería, baloncesto, levantamiento de pesas, natación, rugby, tiro deportivo, tenis de mesa, tenis de campo, y voleibol. El rango de edad osciló entre los 18 y 71 años (Medad= 34.9, DE=10.8), varones n= 71 (Medad= 35.2, DE=11.2) y mujeres n= 16 (Medad= 33.3, DE=9.2). Fue completado el Cuestionario de Características Psicológicas Relacionadas con Rendimiento Deportivos (CPRD). Los resultados señalaron que las CP no mostraron diferencias respecto a la experiencia deportiva, edad. sexo. La Cohesión de Equipo mostró diferencias por sexo (p= .092, d=.43) y entre tipo de deportes, equipo vs individual, (p<.001, d=.83). Se concluye que las CP presentaron un comportamiento homogéneas según la experiencia deportiva, edad y sexo. Hay diferencias en el factor de Cohesión de Equipo favorable para los deportistas de equipo. Futuras investigaciones pueden analizar el deporte adaptado en comparación al deporte convencional. El deporte adaptado requiere de mayor investigación que puedan aportar conocimiento para los profesionales de las ciencias del deporte.

Physical exercise (PE) is associated with cognitive changes and brain function. However, it is required to clarify the effect of PE in different intensities, population groups conditions and the EF duration over different cognitive domains. Besides, no studies are known to have evaluated the contextual emotional recognition. Therefore, we studied the effect of acute PE of moderate intensities up to higher ones to the executive functions and the contextual emotional recognition. The participants were evaluated and classified in two experiments according to the IPAQ short form self-report and control measures. In both experiments, the groups were randomized, controlled, and exposed to one session of indoor cycling through intervals of high measure intensity (75–85% HRmax). Experiment 1 comprised young adults who were physically active (PA) and healthy, apparently (n = 54, M_age = 20.7, SD = 2.5). Experiment 2 involved young adults who were physically inactive (IP) and healthy, apparently (n = 36, M_age = 21.6, SD = 1.8). The duration was the only factor that varied: 45 min for PA and 30 min for PI. The executive functions were evaluated by the Stroop, TMT A/B, and verbal fluency, and the emotional recognition through a task that includes body and facial emotions in context, simultaneously. The analysis of factorial mixed ANOVA showed effects on the right choices of the indoor cycling groups in the PA, and the time response in PI. Also, other effects were observed in the controlled groups. TMT-A/B measures showed changes in the pre-test–post-test measures for both experiments. Verbal fluency performance favored the control group in both experiments. Meanwhile, the emotional recognition showed an effect of the PE in error-reduction and enhanced the scores in the right choices of body emotions. These results suggest that the EF with intensities favored cognitive processes such as inhibitory control and emotional recognition in context. We took into account the importance of high-complexity tasks design that avoid a ceiling effect. This study is the first on reporting a positive effect of PE over the emotional contextual recognition. Important clinical and educational implications are presented implications which highlight the modulatory role of EF with moderate to high intensities.

Objetivo. El ejercicio físico (EF) se relaciona con estructuras cerebrales y funcionamiento cognitivo; sin embargo, se desconocen indicadores de frecuencia, duración e intensidad del EF asociados a procesos neuropsicológicos. Estudiar la relación y las posibles diferencias entre las funciones ejecutivas (FE) y los indicadores del EF (frecuencia, duración y tiempo que lleva practicando EF). Método. Se seleccionó una muestra intencional de treinta sujetos físicamente activos, pareados por sexo (Medad = 22.9, DE = 8.5). Se aplicó la totalidad de la Batería de Funciones Ejecutivas y Lóbulos Frontales (Banfe). Resultados. El desempeño neuropsicológico se relacionó con la frecuencia del EF en tareas que evalúan capacidades de control inhibitorio, seguimiento de límites y normas, memoria de trabajo visoespacial y anticipación de acciones de orden progresivo y regresivo. La duración y el tiempo de entrenamiento presentaron relación con la planeación, respeto por los límites y la inhibición. Aquellos participantes que se ejercitan más de seis veces por semana presentaron mejor desempeño en los aciertos y menor número de errores en el control inhibitorio. No se diferencia el desempeño neuropsicológico en función a indicadores y tipo de EF. Conclusión. Se confirma la hipótesis acerca de que el EF se asocia con procesos neuropsicológicos. Se abren posibles implicaciones científicas, educativas y clínicas.