Spain is one of the many countries highly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, establishing very restrictive measures with a complete lockdown for more than 3 months. This situation forced the complete closure of sport practice and national or international competitions, leading to a negative impact on physical and psychological health of high-performance athletes. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (a) to determine the effects of the COVID-19 health crisis on Spanish high-performance athletes in terms of sports practice, life quality, and emotional state and (b) to identify the profile with the greatest difficulties during and after the lockdown. A sample of 130 high-performance athletes aged between 18 and 34 years (67 women and 63 men) participated in this study (83.1% achieved a medal in National–International elite competitions; 86.9% were considered student-athletes). Measures included socio-demographic data through a 5-dimension ad hoc survey: physical activity and exercise using an adapted version from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ); health status and limitations using an adapted version of SF-12 Health Questionnaire; Perceived stress (Short-PSS); and Mood States (29-item POMS). All participants have shown a significant decrease pre–post-lockdown in both health and performance perception, especially in women, individual athletes, medalists, and student-athletes. Strong limitations of training, attention, and motivation as well as a moderate negative emotional state during lockdown were reported, in women, individual athletes, medalists, and student-athletes. Even with an improved emotional state and energy level in the post-lockdown period, moderate-to-high stress scores were reported by women and medalists. Our findings highlight the importance of paying attention to the physical and psychological health of elite athletes on three profiles: team athletes (due to social distance), student-athletes (dual-career issues), and women athletes (prevalence of implicit gender inequalities in sport).

Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: (a) analizar el efecto de la edad relativa (RAE) en los jugadores que participaron en el Campeonato de España de Minibásquet durante la última década, y (b) determinar una posible relación entre RAE y la clasificación final de los equipos analizados. Los participantes analizados fueron todos los jugadores (n = 2268) de los 19 equipos participantes durante los años 2009-2018. Se dividió a los jugadores, según su fecha de nacimiento, en cuatro cuartiles y se agruparon a los 10 mejores equipos de la clasificación en tres categorías diferentes. Los resultados mostraron el RAE durante la última década (?2 = 380.57, P = .000). Los tres mejores equipos incluyeron un mayor número de jugadores nacidos en la primera mitad del año (83.40%, ?2 = 183.15, P = .000). En conclusión, el rendimiento en baloncesto U12 podría verse afectado por el RAE.

In recent years, there has been an increase in knowledge about the barriers experienced by people with disabilities in the education system or sports. However, no studies have analyzed the barriers for those who try to succeed in both disciplines (dual career). The purpose of this study was to examine the barriers faced by student-athletes with/out disability to a dual career combining studies and sport. Two groups were involved in the study (n = 162): student-athletes with disabilities (n = 79) and student-athletes without disabilities (n = 83). Data collected included: (a) socio-demographic aspects; and (b) barriers towards achieving a good balance between sport and academics during the dual career, through the "Perceptions of dual career student-athletes" (ESTPORT) questionnaire. The results showed that student-athletes with disabilities were more likely to perceive in a greater extent the barriers, the university is far from my home (p = 0.007) and the university is far from my training site (p = 0.006), I find myself unable to balance study and training time (p = 0.030), I have to take care of my family (p<0.001), and my current job does not allow me to study enough (p<0.001). The MANOVA analysis showed that the factors gender, competitive level, and employment status had an influence on the perception of some barriers between groups. In conclusion, student-athletes with disabilities perceived barriers more strongly than those without disabilities, and measures are needed to ensure their inclusion in the education system.

El objetivo fue determinar si la técnica de tiro libre ejecutada por jugadores de baloncesto de entre 9 y 11 años no participantes en ninguna selección autonómica y nacional coincidió con la técnica reportada por la literatura y estudios previos. El trabajo se realizó diferenciando la técnica de tiro antes de la salida y a la salida del balón. Participaron 12 jugadores varones de entre 9 y 11 años (M = 10,43, DT = ,63) que nunca habían participado en ninguna selección autonómica ni nacional. Se utilizó la metodología observacional a través de un diseño puntual/nomotético/multidimensional. Se grabó a los jugadores realizando un test que constaba de 10 tiros libres. Posteriormente, dos observadores observaron la ejecución técnica de cada uno de los tiros realizados por los jugadores. Se realizó la detección de t-patterns mediante el software Theme v.6 EDU. No se detectó ningún t-pattern antes de la salida del balón ni a la salida debido a que los tiros se realizaron siguiendo conductas muy dispares, que no se repitieron de forma regular en el tiempo. En el presente trabajo se utilizó un instrumento de observación que permitió la obtención de información directamente aplicable a la realidad diferenciando lo que ocurre antes de la salida del balón y a la salida del mismo. Se comprobó que los jugadores analizados, los cuales no jugaban en ninguna selección, ejecutaron una técnica de tiro que contrastaba en varios criterios con las recomendaciones propuestas por la literatura y estudios previos. The purpose was to determine whether the free throw technique of under-12 basketball players, who did not participated in any regional and national team, was similar to the technique reported by the literature and previous studies. The analysis differentiated prior to shoot and at ball release moments. Participant were 12 male players between 9 and 11 years old (M = 10.43, SD =, 63) who had never participated in any regional and national team. The observational methodology was used through a point/nomothetic/multidimensional design. The players were recorded performing a test consisting of 10 free throws. Two observers observed the technical execution of each of the shots made by the players. T-patterns were detected using Theme v.6 EDU software. Neither prior to ball release nor at ball release t-patterns were detected because the free throws followed very different behaviours, which were not repeated regularly over time. In the present work, an observation instrument was used that allowed obtaining information directly applicable to reality, differentiating between the free throw technique prior to shoot and at ball release moments. The analysed players, who did not play in any regional and national team, executed a free throw technique that contrasted in several criteria with the literature and previous studies recommendations. O objetivo foi determinar se a técnica do tiro livre executada por jogadores de basquete entre 9 e 11 anos de idade que não participavam de nenhuma seleção regional e nacional coincidia com a técnica relatada na literatura e em estudos anteriores. O trabalho foi realizado diferenciando a técnica do chute antes do início e do início da bola. Participaram 12 jogadores do sexo masculino entre 9 e 11 anos (M = 10,43, DT =, 63) que nunca haviam participado de nenhuma equipe regional ou nacional. A metodologia observacional foi utilizada através de um desenho pontual/nomotético/multidimensional. Os jogadores foram gravados realizando um teste composto por 10 chutes da linha de lance livre. Posteriormente, dois observadores observaram a execução técnica de cada um dos tiros feitos pelos jogadores. Os t-patterns foram detectados usando o software Theme v.6 EDU. Nenhum t-patterns foi detectado antes do início da bola ou no início, porque os chutes foram feitos seguindo comportamentos muito diferentes, que não foram repetidos regularmente ao longo do tempo. No presente trabalho, foi utilizado um instrumento de observação que permitiu obter informações diretamente aplicáveis à realidade, diferenciando o que ocorre antes da saída da bola e da saída da bola. Verificou-se que os jogadores analisados, que não jogaram em nenhuma seleção, executaram uma técnica de chute que contrasta em vários critérios com as recomendações propostas pela literatura e estudos anteriores.

The aim of this study was to determine the free throw technique and successful free throw technique both prior to ball release and at ball release moments in under-12 basketball, using a court-applied test. The participants were 102 players from eight male under-12 officially federated basketball teams. We used a point/ideographic/multidimensional observational design to analyse the recordings of 612 free throws. The test consisted of performing one, two or three free throws. One participant performed the free throws and the other passed the ball to him. The roles were exchanged until the two participants performed all the free throw options. As a result, the participants did not execute the free throw using the technique proposed by the literature. This difference was because jumping free throws shoots, with low style, feet at the same distance, and moderate forward displacement of the centre of mass predominated. The free throw technique was in general more regular than that of the successful free throws. Players used an unregulated technique, without meeting the criteria that activate success in the free throw. This technique resulted attempting successful free throws at 4 m from the basket, which is 2.60 m high, with a 485-g ball. Taking into account the characteristics of the participants of the present work in terms of age, strength, maturity, height, weight, and body mass index, coaches and the competition managers should assess what should be improved in under-12 basketball to allow players to increase free throw success.  Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la técnica de tiro libre y la técnica de tiro libre con éxito, tanto antes de la salida del balón como en el momento de salida del balón en baloncesto U-12, a través de un test de tiro. Los participantes fueron 102 jugadores de ocho equipos masculinos de baloncesto U-12 federados. Se utilizó un diseño observacional puntual/ideográfico/multidimensional para analizar las grabaciones de 612 tiros libres. La prueba consistía en realizar uno, dos o tres tiros libres. Un participante realizaba los tiros libres y el otro le pasaba el balón. Los participantes intercambiaban los roles hasta que los dos realizaron todas las opciones de tiro libre. Los resultados mostraron que los participantes no ejecutaron el tiro libre utilizando la técnica propuesta por la literatura. Esta diferencia se debió a que predominaron los tiros libres con salto, con estilo bajo, pies a la misma distancia y desplazamiento moderado del centro de masas hacia adelante. La técnica de los tiros libres en general fue más regular que la de los tiros libres con éxito. En conclusión, los jugadores utilizaron una técnica alejada de las recomendaciones teóricas, poco regular, y sin cumplir los criterios que posibilitan éxito en el tiro libre. Esto ocurrió como consecuencia de intentar obtener éxito en una situación de tiro libre a 4 m de la canasta, situada a 2.60 m de altura, y con un balón de 485 g. Teniendo en cuenta las características de los participantes del presente trabajo en cuanto a edad, fuerza, madurez, altura, peso e índice de masa corporal, los entrenadores y los responsables de las competiciones deberían valorar qué debe mejorarse en el baloncesto U-12 para que los jugadores puedan aumentar el éxito en los tiros libres.