The aim of our study is to validate the Arabic version of the inventory of coping strategies of competitive sports (ISCCS) using factor analysis. After critical analyses of adapted sports versions, Gaudreau and Blondin (2002) proposed the ISCCS questionnaire to measure coping strategies in the field of competitive sports (André & Laurencelle, 2010). The ISCCS identify ten coping strategies that are divided in two dimensions: the coping task-oriented and the coping emotion-oriented. 419 athletes (273 men and 146 women; age 16.79 ± 3.82 years, 14 to 34) in different individual and team competitions, volunteered to participate in the study. Data were collected and analyzed for reliability and validity using the test-retest method, reliability, correlation analysis and confirmatory factor analyses. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 22.0.0 the IBM AMOS. The confirmatory factor analyses showed good adjustments for coping models of task-oriented (chi-square 359.35, CFI: 0.92; TLI: 0.91; GFI: 0.93; RMSEA: 0.040 and p value < 0.001), and the coping oriented emotion (chi-square 215.45, CFI: 0.93; TLI: 0.91; GFI, 0.94; RMSEA: 0.054 and p < 0.001). In conclusion, ISCCS was translated and validated in various languages, including French, English, Spanish, and Turkish… Arabic version demonstrated good psychometric properties adjustments and can be used in other surveys in the area of sports competition.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of mental training through imagery on the competitive anxiety of adolescent tennis players fasting during Ramadan. This is an experimental study conducted with 38 male tennis players, randomly allocated to two groups: an experimental group (EG, n = 18), aged 16.9 ± 0.6 years, and a control group (CG, n = 20), aged 16.7 ± 0.8 years. The study was designed as a randomized, controlled experimental trial (registration code PACTR 202006847771700). CG watched historical videos of the Olympics, while EG performed mental training. The competitive anxiety state assessment was recorded four times. The first measurement was carried out 1 week before Ramadan, the second measurement during the first week of the month, the third measurement at the end of the second week, and, finally, the fourth measurement during the fourth week of Ramadan. Our results revealed a significant interaction (time × groups) for all competitive anxiety subscales. Higher intensity and direction scores for the cognitive and somatic anxiety subscales during Ramadan compared with before Ramadan for both groups could be reported at P &lt; 0.001. Higher intensity and direction scores for the cognitive and somatic anxiety subscales during Ramadan compared with pre-Ramadan for both groups could be found at P &lt; 0.01. This increase in scores was greater for the CG than for the EG in the middle and at the end of Ramadan at P &lt; 0.001. Finally, for the self-confidence subscale score, results revealed that intensity and direction scores were lower during Ramadan compared with pre-Ramadan for the two groups at P &lt; 0.01. The score for the intensity of self-confidence was higher for the EG compared with the CG at the end of Ramadan at P &lt; 0.001. It was concluded that mental imagery training was effective in reducing anxiety (cognitive and somatic) and increasing self-confidence in the intensity dimension of adolescent tennis players who fast during Ramadan.

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This study aimed to discover coping strategies among professional male Tunisian footballers during the Ramadan 2021 fast. One hundred and eighty footballers who belong to twelve Tunisian professional clubs (age: 25.54 ± 4.41 years, weight: 77.19 ± 5.99 kg; height: 180.54 ± 7.28 cm; BMI: 23.67 ± 0.58) were tested during three sessions: one week before Ramadan, during the last week of Ramadan, and one week after Ramadan 2021. The footballers completed the Arabic version of the Inventory of Coping Strategies for Competitive Sport (ICSCS) scale in each session. Responses were recorded retrospectively one hour after a competition. The analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of Ramadan fasting on the adaptation profile of footballers (F = 3.51; p-value = 0.0001). Before and after Ramadan fasting, active coping dominates the adaptation profile of Tunisian professional footballers. During Ramadan, footballers use an irregular and unbalanced coping profile. The lifestyle change induced by the Ramadan fast significantly and negatively affected the adaptation profile of Tunisian professional footballers. Under the effect of the month of Ramadan, footballers developed a different coping profile from that of normal months.