“It’s Not Just About the Activity, It’s Also About How the Activity is Facilitated”: Investigating Students’ Experiences in Two Competitive Situations in Physical Education

Relative age and perceptions of soccer specific skills among elite youth players in Norway

One common feature among the selected players in talent development programs are the well-known relative age effect (RAE), characterized by a skewed birth distribution among selected players with an over-representation of players born early in the selection year. The aim of the present study was to examine potential differences in soccer-specific skills between players selected for national talent program born in the first half of the year compared to the players born in the second half of the year. A total of 753 elite male U 14 (N = 363) and U 13 players (N = 390) from 16 of 18 soccer regions in Norway participated. The results showed players born early in the selection year considered th…

Towards More Sustainable Sports: Analyzing the Travel Behavior of Adolescent Soccer Players in Southern Norway

Mitigating climate change is a global challenge demanding effort from all sectors, and sports are no exception. While transportation is one of the key issues regarding sustainable sports, the methods by which children and adolescents get to practice have not received much attention. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to present how adolescents in Southern Norway travel to soccer practice and assess how the mode of transportation is related to sex, socioeconomic status, age, ethnicity, and distance from home to practice. Cross-sectional data were collected from 558 adolescent soccer players (398 boys and 190 girls) representing 30 different clubs from settlements of varying rurali…

“As Many as Possible for as Long as Possible”—A Case Study of a Soccer Team That Fosters Multiple Outcomes

The personal assets framework suggests that dynamic elements of (a) personal engagement in activities, (b) quality social dynamics, and (c) appropriate settings will influence an athlete’s long-term outcomes of performance, personal development, and continued participation in sport. The aim of the present study was to conduct a case study of a Norwegian age-restricted team that was successful in promoting participation, performance, and positive development for individual participants and to investigate how the dynamic elements of activities, social dynamics, and settings have led to these long-term outcomes. The results indicated that the case is a best-practice example of successful attai…

Supplemental Material, sj-pdf-1-epe-10.1177_1356336X211002855 - Students’ experiences and learning of social inclusion in team activities in physical education

Supplemental Material, sj-pdf-1-epe-10.1177_1356336X211002855 for Students’ experiences and learning of social inclusion in team activities in physical education by Dag Ove G Hovdal, Tommy Haugen, Inger Beate Larsen and Bjørn Tore Johansen in European Physical Education Review

Shared Mental Models: National Representative Coaches’ Thinking on Importance, Characteristics, and Development

The aims of the study were to explore how national representative handball coaches reflect on the cognitive properties of the team and how these attributes are developed through team practice. A theoretical (shared mental models) thematic analysis was conducted, and five coaches with extensive experience from the national team and elite clubs participated. The data were analyzed with regard to three overarching topics: importance, characteristics, and development of shared mental models. The interviews revealed that measures intended to influence a shared mental model permeate team practice and underpin the assumption of opponent-specific shared mental models. Alignment between briefings an…

Perceptions of leadership behavior and the relationship to athletes among Scandinavian coaches

Published version of an article in the journal: Scandinavian Sport Studies Forum. Also available from the publisher at: http://sportstudies.org/2014/11/25/perceptions-of-leadership-behavior-and-the-relationship-to-athletes-among-scandinavian-coaches/ -Open Access The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the perceptions of leadership behavior and coach–athlete relationship in Scandinavian coaches. A secondary purpose was to investigate if differences in national sport education, level of coaching and coaching experiences in individual or team sport have an influence on leadership behavior and coach–athlete relationships. One hundred and forty nine coaches at inte…

Anxiety level and decision-making among Norwegian top-class soccer referees

The purpose of this study was to examine the level of anxiety experienced by Norwegian top-class soccer referees while officiating, and to predict the level of anxiety according to refereeing level and perceived refereeing competence. Also investigated were referees' perceptions of how crowd noise and disturbance from players and/or coaches, failure (i.e. mistakes) in refereeing, and aggressive behaviour by players and/or coaches influence their decision-making when officiating. A total of 83 (response rate: 84.7%) referees (73 men and 10 women) aged 20–46 years (mean = 33.2 years) completed our questionnaire using SurveyXact, a web-based program for conducting electronic questionnaires. Th…

Difference in physical fitness in children with initially high and low gross motor competence: A ten-year follow-up study

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the difference in relative physical fitness between children with initially high and low gross motor competence in a ten-year prospective study. A sample of 49 children from a local primary school was tested on gross motor competence and physical fitness in 1st grade (5/6 years old). The children were tested again in 2nd (motor competence only), 7th, and 10th grade (15/16 years old). The sample was divided into two groups; initially high and low gross motor competence, according to score (median-split) on the Korperkoordinationstest fur Kinder-test battery in 1st grade. Results suggested that the initially high gross motor competence-group pe…

A Preliminary Analysis of the Importance of Distance, Angle, and Insight When Soccer Referees Make Penalty Decisions

Soccer referees move freely on the pitch to place themselves in the best location for making decisions. While Football Association UK (FA) highlights that a referee should never be more than 20 m away from the playing situation, previous studies have been inconsistent in indicating appropriate distance to a situation for increasing the likelihood of a correct decision. Further, appropriate angle and insight are also likely to influence the correctness of referees' decisions. The aim of this study was to provide an initial investigation of elite referees' positioning in the field (distance, angle, and insight) when making correct and erroneous decisions in potential penalty situations. An ex…

Team identity in youth soccer: The role of coaches' feedback patterns and use of humour

The purpose of this study was to empirically examine the relationship between coaches' communication patterns (feedback and use of humour) and team identity in youth soccer. A cross-sectional design was used and participants were 532 soccer players, aged from 13 to 20 years, taking part in a youth soccer tournament, the Sør Cup. Structural Equation Modelling based multiple regression analysis was conducted, and the findings revealed that positive/instructive feedback and coaches' use of humour were positive significant predictors of team identity. Contrary to our expectations, negative/punishment feedback was not significantly related to team identity. The findings are discussed within a so…

Participation in organized sports is associated with decreased likelihood of unhealthy lifestyle habits in adolescents

Adolescence is a pivotal time for investing in both present and future health. Thus, it is important to identify arenas for promoting positive adolescent health behaviors and preventing negative ones. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between organized sports participation (OSP) and a broad range of lifestyle habits in Norwegian adolescents. A comprehensive survey was completed by 13 269 junior high and high school students in southern Norway. Multivariable binary logistic regression models, adjusted for gender, age, and parental education, were used to investigate the associations between OSP and adolescent substance use, dietary habits, physical activity level, pas…

“Being together in the locker room is great, but showering together – just forget it!” The Janus Face of the Wardrobe Practice in Physical Education

The aim of this study is to examine the wardrobe context among students in physical education (PE) in lower secondary school and describe their various experiences of the atmosphere in the locker room and their showering habits. 16 semi structured in-depth interviews with eight boys and eight girls, all aged 15, in the 10th grade (third and final year of lower secondary school) were conducted to grasp some of the ongoing interactions between students and the context of the wardrobe practice before and after PE lessons. The planning of the interviews is grounded in a variety of topics such as the class environment, the influence of teacher behavior, self-evaluation, and the role of social me…

The role of gender in the relationship between physical activity, appearance evaluation and psychological distress

Background Based on previous research, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the indirect effect of physical activity on psychological distress through appearance evaluation. The indirect effect was hypothesized to be conditional on gender, with the effect being more profound among females than among males. Method A total of 2055 adolescents (Mage = 15.3) completed a self-report questionnaire. Results Physical activity was indirectly related to psychological distress through appearance evaluation in both males and females, but the indirect effect was stronger for females than for males. Conclusions Physical activity may prevent distress through enhanced appearance evaluation.

Experiences of Older Adults Preparing for Their First Triathlon: A Qualitative Study of the Participation in an Endurance Training Intervention

Purpose: The overall aim of the present study was to explore the experiences of older adult exercisers participating in an individualized training program lasting 3 months preparing for completing a triathlon competition. Methods: Fourteen older Norwegian adults (median age (interquartile range, IQR) for males (N=10) and females (N=4) were 70.0 (65.0-75.5) and 57.5 (56.3-62.5) years, respectively) participated in 3-month individualized training program comprising three weekly sessions of running, cycling, and swimming. Both field- and laboratory-based testing were conducted. The participants attended two sports nutrition and competitive psychology seminars focusing on triathlon competition.…

Understanding disruptive situations in physical education : Teaching style and didactic implications

Several studies have emphasized the importance of handling disruptive situations in the physical education (PE) learning environment; however, few have investigated complex disruptive situations in PE and included both teacher and student perspectives. The aims of this study, which discusses an alternative teaching style for reducing disruptive situations, were to gain a better understanding of student and teacher experiences of complex disruptive situations in PE, and to explore how the teacher handled these situations. The philosophical perspective used in this study was Rorty’s philosophical pragmatism. Methods included written narratives, interviews, observation, and video recordings o…

Supplemental Material, sj-pdf-2-epe-10.1177_1356336X211002855 - Students’ experiences and learning of social inclusion in team activities in physical education

Supplemental Material, sj-pdf-2-epe-10.1177_1356336X211002855 for Students’ experiences and learning of social inclusion in team activities in physical education by Dag Ove G Hovdal, Tommy Haugen, Inger Beate Larsen and Bjørn Tore Johansen in European Physical Education Review

Self-reported playing time and justice as predictors of coach satisfaction: An analysis of elite ice-hockey and handball players

Intrateam competition for specific roles and playing time is a continuous imperative process in elite sport teams. The assessment of this competition is done by the coach and the outcome of this process has a significant impact on the team and the players. The following hypothesis was put forward for testing: Self-reported playing time and perceptions of justice among elite ice-hockey and handball players predict their satisfaction with the coach. Elite ice-hockey and handball players (N = 231) reported playing time and completed the Perceived Justice and Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses show that self-reported playing time, distributive justice…

Students’ experiences and learning of social inclusion in team activities in physical education.

Physical education (PE) can be a context in which students are ‘educated through the physical’, which includes the possibility to learn social inclusion as an important life skill and contributor to the greater good of society. A key goal in the Norwegian educational system is that such positive life skills become internalised in students. The aims of this study were to understand students’ experiences of and behaviour towards social inclusion – such as passing the ball – in team activities and how the teacher facilitated the learning of social inclusion. We use Dewey’s pedagogical perspective on education, and Johnson and Johnson’s cooperative learning model to discuss possible consequenc…

Team Supervision of Doctoral Students: A Qualitative Inquiry

Aim/Purpose: The aim of this study is to contribute to current knowledge of team supervision. Specifically, we examine the relationship between main supervisor and co-supervisor regarding credibility in the division of roles and responsibilities within supervision teams. Background: The overall intention of this article is to provide more information about the dynamics in the relationship between supervisors and to identify and describe the mechanisms that support the doctoral students in their endeavor for doctorateness. Methodology: A qualitative descriptive approach combined with a thematic analysis is used to analyze in-depth interviews with ten supervisors working in five different doc…

Reasons for officiating soccer : the role of passion-based motivations among Norwegian elite and non-elite referees

Les raisons de l’arbitrage en football : Le role des motivations basees sur la passion parmi les arbitres elite et non-elite norvegiensCette etude examine les raisons de l’investissement des arbitres de football elite et non-elite norvegiens. Quatre-vingt-trois arbitres elite et 44 non-elite ont complete un questionnaire en ligne (SurveyXact) interrogeant leurs trois principales raisons d’exercer la fonction d’arbitre de football. Les donnees ont ete obtenues par epoche, intuition et description de leurs differentes raisons. Trois principales categories descriptives emergent (pourcentage elite/non-elite) : les motivations liees a la passion (57/25 %), les motivations sociales (25/25 %) et l…

Childhood football play and practice in relation to self-regulation and national team selection; a study of Norwegian elite youth players.

Childhood sport participation is argued to be important to understand differences in self-regulation and performance level in adolescence. This study sought to investigate if football-specific activities in childhood (6–12 years of age) is related to self-regulatory skills and national under 14- and 15-team selection in Norwegian elite youth football. Data of practice histories and self-regulatory skills of 515 youth football players selected at Norwegian regional level were collected and further analysed using multilevel analyses. The results revealed that high self-regulated players were more likely to be selected for national initiatives, and increased their involvement in peer-led footb…

Referee efficacy in the context of Norwegian soccer referees – A meaningful construct?

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was two-fold. Firstly, to examine the measurement/factorial validity and invariance of the Referee Self-Efficacy Scale (REFS) among Norwegian soccer referees. Secondly, extending scale validation, we also tested a structural model in which a second-order version of the REFS was modelled to mediate a set of theoretically informed antecedents and outcomes. Design Cross-sectional. Method One hundred and eleven Norwegian elite referees and 81 non-elite referees completed an electronic questionnaire measuring expected antecedents and outcomes of perceived self-efficacy in the role as referees. Results Analyses provided support for the first – and sec…

Referee Bias in Professional Football: Favoritism Toward Successful Teams in Potential Penalty Situations

Past studies have indicated that multiple factors may influence sport referees' decisions, such as pressure from spectators and athletes' reputation. Grounded in the social impact theory framework, this study examined whether Norwegian Premier League (NPL) referees are biased by a team's success when awarding penalties. Using video footage (similar to video assistant referees), an expert panel (EP) of four NPL referees evaluated all potential penalty situations (N = 43) involving either of two successful teams during an entire NPL season. Fifty-five potential penalty situations from matches without successful teams were also rated. Overall, the match referees identified 73.3% (22 of 30) of …

Students’ motivation in a disc golf-lesson and a soccer-lesson: An experimental study in the Physical Education setting

The purpose of physical education (PE) in both Norway and Denmark is that PE should inspire to a lifelong active lifestyle. Based on the self-determination theory, the aim of the present study was to compare students’ intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and perceived competence in a lifestyle sport inspired PE-lesson (disc golf) to a traditional PE-lesson (soccer) and general PE. In addition, we aimed to investigate whether differences in motivation and perceived competence was conditional of the students´ relative attitude toward PE. The result of the study revealed that perceived competence was higher in the disc golf-lesson compared to the soccer-lesson and general PE. No overall…