Monthly Archive for July, 2023

Page 2 of 3

Physical activity in nature improve the wellness

Published on July 14, 2023 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Baena-Morales, S., Garcia-Taibo, O., Baena-Extremera, A., Tomás González-Fernández, F. (2023). Physical exercise in natural environments and its influence on directed attention. Education implication. A systematic review. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 54(2), 152-174.

There is sufficient evidence to confirm that practice of physical exercise improves cognitive and emotional performance. This idea is also related to UNESCO’s current trend of establishing connections with its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and educational actions. Furthermore, the relationship of humans with nature seems to produce an improvement in different cognitive variables and specifically in directed attention. The mere presence of the human being in nature produces psychological, well-being and directed attention benefits. However, there is little research on the synergistic effect of physical exercise in natural environments, and how this affects directed attention, as a determining variable in academic performance.  The main objective is to show the effect of the physi- cal exercise in natural environments on the directed attention in compar- ison with those performed in urban or built environments. The present systematic review analyzed studies that had evaluated the performance of directed attention when physical exercise in natural environments was practiced. Methods: A systematic review of PUBMED, SCOPUS, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria of the review. Most of these studies were crossover or controlled trials investigating the effects of short-term exposure in natural environments during physical exercise. There is no consensus on the benefits of the physical exercise in natural environments for the directed attention. The studies provide theoretical foundations that could explain some of the potential benefits. However, more rigorous research is needed to control the variables that may influence the improvement of directed attention.

Post to Twitter Ti piace? Twittalo

Toughness in sport

Published on July 13, 2023 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: .

When someone asks me bluntly, “How do those who win repeatedly differ from other athletes? The equally firm answer is, “By how they react to competitive pressure, difficulties and mistakes.” A more specific answer to this question comes from one of rugby’s world-class coaches when he acknowledges that it is mental toughness that is an important dividing line between successful players and others who are their peers in skill level and fitness:

Mental toughness, to me, is the ability to keep doing what you’re supposed to do regardless of the situation, regardless of whether you’re physically or mentally fatigued. Why it hurts. Sport at a high level is uncomfortable. We try to teach players to be comfortable being uncomfortable (Eddie Jones).

In those moments the athlete’s other skills if they are not supported by toughness come to a standstill. An athlete can have a constructive dialogue with himself but at decisive moments if he is not supported by tenacity, his self-talk can become negative. An athlete knows what to pay attention to and how to adapt it to race situations, but when faced with an unexpected event he may lose this ability if tenacity does not intervene, which is the conviction to continue competing at one’s best even if it seems impossible.

Four dimensions were identified to define toughness: attitude, training, competition, and post-competition consisting of 13 components. Research on athletes who achieved world champion status showed that their goal was the enhancement of all 13 components to the highest level. Several factors influenced this enhancement during a 2-4 year period; these included competitiveness, a great desire to compete against and beat the world’s best, experience gained in major international competitions, awareness of opponents’ capabilities, and knowledge of competitors’ preparation programs. Athletes reported that the experience of competing at the highest level, and observing and speaking with world-class athletes and coaches, improved their knowledge of training programs and training styles conducted by the world’s best. This knowledge combined with the desire to win increased their mental toughness.

(Source: A. Cei, Fondamenti di psicologia dello sport, 2021)

Post to Twitter Ti piace? Twittalo

Milan Kundera, Brno April 1, 1929 – Paris, July 11 2023

Published on July 12, 2023 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments

Post to Twitter Ti piace? Twittalo

Suarez e Djokovic: without a soul you don’t win

Published on July 10, 2023 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

A few days ago an incredible soccer champion, Luis Suarez, passed away. In his interview with Gianni Mura in 2014, I was struck by two ideas that are important to me when talking about champions. The value of technique: “Without technique there is no appreciable soccer. Today, when I see so many crosses that end up behind the goal I change the channel.” The value of emotions: “Adventure is the right term, because in 1961 it’s not like Inter was at the top of Europe. It was aiming for it, that’s why it had taken the Wizard and, as a result, the Wizard had convinced me, but without big speeches. Then it was said that I was the soul of that Inter, but that was not true. That Inter had many souls, from Facchetti to Corso, from Picchi to Mazzola. I was the experience, that I think.” Suarez goes to Inter for adventure, for the Magician and to be one of its souls.

Champions allow us to make these arguments and understand the reasons why we need them.

The first concerns the issue of excellence in human performance. Champions allow us to know what the current limits of the human experience in sport are and show us how to go beyond them, in a seemingly endless chase for this improvement. The sciences that study the human being provide data that inspire the best coaches who use training methodology to improve those technical-tactical aspects Suarez speaks of.

The second concerns the soul of a team, which is embodied in the close relationship between thinking and emotions,. Everyone likes to win, but not everyone knows that in order to express themselves at their best, you have to put your soul into it. Those who do not follow this approach, which is very difficult to live by on a daily basis, fall into the trap of resentment toward themselves and those around them because they have not been able to avoid this problem. Novak Djokovic also describes this concept well by telling us:

“When we feel hurt, resentful, sad or feel that we have failed or disliked or whatever it is, we get trapped in that emotion. It happens to me too, no doubt, on and off the field, very often. It’s normal, it’s the life experience of all of us. But I always try to be aware of what I have said or done or the emotion I feel and not get trapped in it for too long. I go back. I get out of it. Because we cannot control what happens outside of us, but we can control how we react to those circumstances.”

Suarez and Djokovic, different generations of champions, however, affirm the same idea let’s have a dialogue between our thoughts and our emotions, let’s stay in touch and have a dialogue with our souls and the souls of our teammates and those who work with us.

Post to Twitter Ti piace? Twittalo

Tour de France: Pogacar and Vingeggard mindset

Published on July 8, 2023 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .
Tadej Pogačar mindset
Tadej Pogačar is a Slovenian professional cyclist who gained international prominence by winning the Tour de France in both 2020 and 2021. Pogačar’s success can be attributed to various factors, including his exceptional physical abilities, strategic race planning, and his mindset.

Pogačar’s mindset is often described as determined, focused, and disciplined. He possesses a strong work ethic and a relentless drive to achieve his goals. His mindset allows him to stay motivated and push himself to his limits, both in training and during races.

One aspect of Pogačar’s mindset that stands out is his ability to remain calm under pressure. In the 2020 Tour de France, he was trailing the race leader, Primož Roglič, by a significant margin heading into the penultimate stage, a time trial. However, Pogačar maintained his composure and delivered an outstanding performance, surpassing Roglič’s time and securing the overall victory.

Pogačar’s mindset also includes a strong belief in his abilities and a positive outlook. He approaches each race with confidence, knowing that he has put in the necessary training and preparation. This positive mindset helps him overcome challenges and setbacks during the race, allowing him to stay focused on his performance and make the most of his opportunities.

Additionally, Pogačar demonstrates a willingness to learn and adapt. He analyzes his performance after each race, identifying areas for improvement and adjusting his training accordingly. This growth mindset enables him to continually evolve as a cyclist and strive for even greater success.

In summary, Tadej Pogačar’s mindset plays a vital role in his achievements at the Tour de France. His determination, focus, composure under pressure, confidence, and willingness to learn contribute to his success as a professional cyclist.

Jonas Vingegaard mindset 

Vingegaard has shown an impressive mindset throughout the Tour de France. Jonas Vingegaard, a Danish cyclist, made his Tour de France debut in 2021 as part of the Team Jumbo-Visma. He showcased his mental toughness and determination, particularly during the mountain stages, which are known to be grueling and physically demanding.

Vingegaard’s mindset was evident in his ability to stay focused and composed, even in challenging situations. He displayed a willingness to take risks and push himself to the limit, which is crucial in a race as demanding as the Tour de France. His mental strength allowed him to maintain a high level of performance and compete against some of the best cyclists in the world.

One of the standout moments of Vingegaard’s Tour de France performance was his impressive ride in the mountain stages, where he showcased his climbing abilities. He consistently stayed at the front of the peloton, attacking when necessary and responding to attacks from other riders. This demonstrated not only his physical capabilities but also his mental fortitude to make strategic decisions on the fly.

Furthermore, Vingegaard’s mindset was crucial in dealing with setbacks and adapting to unexpected circumstances. In a race as long and challenging as the Tour de France, unforeseen events such as crashes or mechanical issues can occur. Vingegaard showed resilience and a positive attitude when faced with adversity, allowing him to bounce back and continue his strong performance.

Overall, Jonas Vingegaard’s mindset during the Tour de France was characterized by determination, mental toughness, and adaptability. These qualities played a vital role in his success in the race, including his impressive second-place finish in the 2021 edition. With such a strong mindset, Vingegaard has the potential to continue making a significant impact in future editions of the Tour de France.

 

T

Post to Twitter Ti piace? Twittalo

We want to know who is the GOAT. Does it harm us?

Published on July 7, 2023 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: .

Five years ago the word GOAT entered the English language dictionary, Merriam-Webster, as an acronym and noun. This was brought about by its wide use in sports. GOAT stands for Greatest Of All Times and initially denoted Muhammad Ali, who called himself the greatest of all time. Later, it came to be associated with the names of serial global winning athletes such as Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Simone Biles, LeBron James, Serena Williams, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan and many others.

Goat in English means, first and foremost, the name of a animal: the goat. Thus, a word that referred to humans has a derogatory meaning (“as smart as a goat,” “you can’t do anything, you’re just a goat”).

The concept behind the word GOAT is rather simple, lacking in nuance. Too much emphasis on winning and not enough on the value of overcoming, referring to the continuous drive for improvement and ethical values. Novak Djokovic is the GOAT of tennis because he has won more than anyone else. But is he really better than Nadal, Federer, Serena Williams? Why not Billie Jean King or Arthur Ashe, certainly winners but remembered mostly for their civil battles and the legacy they left us. Who can say, no one.

Perhaps we should ban the use of this term in sports altogether, following the example of Lake Superior State University, which brazenly placed this acronym first on its list of words to be banned in 2023.

Young people’s use of this concept would not serve to develop an ideal conception of these champions out of any context of reality, emphasizing only outstanding achievements but not the daily work that enabled them. Often with the phrase, “But they are champions,” it is meant to affirm the presence of something intangible that allowed them to reach these absolute levels, putting in the background what it took to become them.

It may be trivial to say it but champions are not born but become.

Post to Twitter Ti piace? Twittalo

Carlo Ancelotti’s winning mentality at the service of Brazil

Published on July 6, 2023 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Carlo Ancelotti will be the next technical commissioner of Brazil, in a country where soccer is experienced as a religious faith and defeats are a national mourning. Will he be able to express his way of working even in this environment where it is normal to think that the task of the national soccer team is to express the best soccer and win the World Cup?

It is a feat that I think fills with pride those who face it as director of this team in a country where soccer is everything and at the same time scares because you are called upon to achieve the only result that can make Brazilians happy, to win after more than 20 years since the last success. Ancelotti with his pragmatic doing will also try here to follow his style of work that is based on 9 characteristics. Adjustments will probably be necessary because coaching a club is obviously different from coaching a national team, which is also the most iconic in world soccer.

  1. Educate the team to pursue victory through offensive and creative play
  2. Fostering the development of a positive work environment
  3. Build a strong team spirit by stimulating a high capacity for sacrifice and mutual commitment
  4. Fostering in each individual a sense of responsibility (evaluated on the basis of his or her actions and behaviors)
  5. Protect the tradition and principles of the club
  6. Working to provide continuity for the Club’s successes
  7. Compete for all major trophies
  8. Build a clear identity and style of play that takes into account the Club’s tradition
  9. Build good relationships among the various work teams

The key words are: educate, environment, spirit, responsibility, Club tradition, identity, relationships, work and compete. It is an approach centered on focusing on engaging the whole environment and caring for interpersonal relationships. In this way, group values, understood as Club principles and identity, team cohesion, and a sense of responsibility among players and staff, are enhanced and continually nurtured. It is on these foundations that the work is based and team spirit is kept high during the long and intense competitive soccer season and in all competitions in which they participate. In particular, the team must become dominant on the field, playing without fear, showing personality and character for the purpose of taking collective responsibility for developing an offensive game.

Post to Twitter Ti piace? Twittalo

Sport psychology world congress

Published on July 6, 2023 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments

It is with great satisfaction that the ISSP announces the location of the next World Congress of Sport Psychology.

Post to Twitter Ti piace? Twittalo

The family costs of children’s sports

Published on July 5, 2023 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Since many years sports have been completely privatized f; it is now rare for young people to play spontaneously on their own in parks and gardens. Sports has become one of the household expenditure items. I am not aware of the costs of sports after the pandemic and whether they have increased/reduced. However, we have data from the immediately preceding years.

This table on a survey conducted in the U.S. shows that the most expensive sports are ice hockey (US$2,583 annually) , skiing US$2,249), field field hockey (US$2,125), gymnastics (US$1,580), lacrosse (US$1289) and tennis (US$1,170). It is striking that golf is between cycling and swimming. Not surprisingly, the cheapest sport is athletics. However, it is likely that costs vary from nation to nation. Also, this survey does not include horseback riding, a particularly expensive sport.

These data are relatively different from those in Italy.

The Federconsumatori National Observatory has monitored the costs of various courses (including swimming, tennis, basketball, soccer): the costs of sports activities for children (up to 14 years of age) as well as the cost of the kit and equipment needed to attend some sports activities (such as uniforms, sneakers, etc.) as shown in the table below. The limitation here again as in the U.S. survey is that it covers the years prior to the pandemic and gives no indication of what kind of adjustment led to the long-term closure of sports centers, or how much we suffered e.g. swimming pools compared to tennis clubs, which were the first to be able to restart.

To these costs must be added registration fees, which, depending on the sports center chosen, can range on average from 30 to 80 euros. “Definitely excessive costs that, in addition to weighing on Italians’ expenses, can push them toward not practicing sports activities, which are fundamental for the health and education of children,” – argues Emilio Viafora, President of Federconsumatori.

In fact, swimming courses, warmly recommended by all doctors, especially with regard to the growth and development of children and young people, have touched rather high costs, definitely excessive if one considers in the household the presence of several children. The cost of a swimming course turns out to be 720 euros annually, to which must be added 115 euros for equipment and about 55 euros for registration, for a total of 890 euros. Even more expensive is the choice to practice ballet, with a cost of 690 euros per year, to which 140 euros must be added for equipment, 110 euros for the end-of-year recital and about 55 euros for registration, for a total of 995 euros per year.

By contrast, the cheapest sport turns out to be basketball, which costs 508 euros annually, including 420 euros for the course, 83 euros for equipment and about 55 euros for registration. To meet these costs, several families are forced to take out loans from financial institutions, generally finding themselves having to repay the entire capital required in 12 months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post to Twitter Ti piace? Twittalo