The present study assesses the impact of stereotype threat on how women experience digital gaming in an evaluative context. By means of a controlled lab experiment, this study tested the effects of reinforcing stereotypical information suggesting that women are less competent players versus the effects of countering this stereotype. In doing so, game leaderboard scores were manipulated distinguishing between Stereotype Neutral (high scores without gender cues), Stereotype Boost (female-dominated high scores) and Stereotype Threat (male-dominated high scores) conditions. Results indicated that gamer identity, trait competitiveness, and playing habits modulate the experience of social identity threat. Performance and affective responses elicited by the Stereotype Threat Condition were more negatively affected in case of strongly identified gamers, highly competitive women, and/or avid players when compared with the other conditions. However, virtually no differences were observed when comparing the Stereotype Neutral and Stereotype Boost conditions. Overall, the present study demonstrates the existence of the stereotype threat mechanism and how this undermines the game experience of female players within digital game culture.
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Objectives: The strategy for dynamic postural stability might be different for male and female players. Additionally, dynamic and challenging tasks are recommended to measure differences in postural stability between injured and non-injured players. Therefore, the dynamic stability index (DSI) was developed which measures the ability of a player to maintain static balance after a dynamic task. The first aim of this study was to evaluate DSI differences between males and females for different jump directions. The second aim was to examine both preseason DSI differences between players with and without a history of ankle sprain, and between players with and without an ankle sprain during the subsequent season.Design: Prospective cohort design. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: 47 male (22.9 ± 3.9 y, 193.5 ± 7.9 cm, 87.1 ± 10.6) and 19 female (21.5 ± 2.9 y, 175.9 ± 7.3 cm, 69.0 ± 11.7 kg) sub-elite and elite basketball, volleyball and korfball players. Main outcome measures: Ankle sprain history was collected using a general injury history questionnaire. DSI on a single-leg hop-stabilization task measured preseason were calculated by using force plates and a Matlab program. Ankle sprains were reported during subsequent season. Results: Male players demonstrated larger DSI than female players on forward medial/lateral stability index (MLSI) (0.037± 0.007 vs 0.029 ± 0.005) and vertical stability index (VSI) (0.369 ± 0.056 vs 0.319 ± 0.034) (p < 0.001), diagonal VSI (0.363 ± 0.046 vs 0.311 ± 0.033) (p < 0.001), and lateral anterior/posterior stability index (APSI) (0.062 ± 0.015 vs 0.047 ± 0.011) and VSI (0.350 ± 0.054 vs 0.294 ± 0.037) (p < 0.001). Forward (0.384 ± 0.055 vs 0.335 ± 0.033), diagonal (0.379 ± 0.046 vs 0.328 ± 0.032) and lateral (0.368 ± 0.053 vs 0.313 ± 0.035) dynamic postural stability indices (DPSI) were larger for males (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between players with and without a previous ankle sprain nor between players with and without an ankle sprain during subsequent season.
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Objectives Adherence to injury prevention programmes in football remains low, which is thought to drastically reduce the effects of injury prevention programmes. Reasons why (medical) staff and players implement injury prevention programmes, have been investigated, but player’s characteristics and perceptions about these programmes might influence their adherence. Therefore, this study investigated the relationships between player’s characteristics and adherence and between player’s perceptions and adherence following an implemented injury prevention programme. Methods Data from 98 of 221 football players from the intervention group of a cluster randomised controlled trial concerning hamstring injury prevention were analysed. Results Adherence was better among older and more experienced football players, and players considered the programme more useful, less intense, more functional and less time-consuming. Previous hamstring injuries, educational level, the programme’s difficulty and intention to continue the exercises were not significantly associated with adherence. Conclusion These player’s characteristics and perceptions should be considered when implementing injury prevention programmes.
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In societies where physical activity levels are declining, stimulating sports participation in youth is vital. While sports offer numerous benefits, injuries in youth are at an all-time high with potential long-term consequences. Particularly, women football's popularity surge has led to a rise in knee injuries, notably anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, with severe long-term effects. Urgent societal attention is warranted, supported by media coverage and calls for action by professional players. This project aims to evaluate the potential of novel artificial intelligence-based technology to enhance player monitoring for injury risk, and to integrate these monitoring pathways into regular training practice. Its success may pave the way for broader applications across different sports and injuries. Implementation of results from lab-based research into practice is hindered by the lack of skills and technology needed to perform the required measurements. There is a critical need for non-invasive systems used during regular training practice and allowing longitudinal monitoring. Markerless motion capture technology has recently been developed and has created new potential for field-based data collection in sport settings. This technology eliminates the need for marker/sensor placement on the participant and can be employed on-site, capturing movement patterns during training. Since a common AI algorithm for data processing is used, minimal technical knowledge by the operator is required. The experienced PLAYSAFE consortium will exploit this technology to monitor 300 young female football players over the course of 1 season. The successful implementation of non-invasive monitoring of football players’ movement patterns during regular practice is the primary objective of this project. In addition, the study will generate key insights into risk factors associated with ACL injury. Through this approach, PLAYSAFE aims to reduce the burden of ACL injuries in female football players.
