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Papers by Cornelia Blank

The TQM Journal

PurposeThis study aims to address customer focus as an important component of total quality manag... more PurposeThis study aims to address customer focus as an important component of total quality management (TQM) and explore the key drivers of member satisfaction in tennis clubs via a novel theory-based member satisfaction index (MSI) model with high explanatory and predictive power. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate the relationship between satisfaction and behavioral intentions (willingness to stay; WTS) with consideration of the mediating effect of identification with the club.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses variance-based partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to estimate the MSI model, which was tested in a leading tennis club in Germany (n = 185).FindingsThe results reveal that club atmosphere, club facilities and the price/quality ratio of the membership fee are the most important drivers of member satisfaction in tennis clubs. Member satisfaction has a large influence on the WTS of tennis club members. Identification with the club, whe...

International journal of sports physiology and performance, 2021

PURPOSE To analyze the predictive value of parameters of submaximal and maximal cardiopulmonary e... more PURPOSE To analyze the predictive value of parameters of submaximal and maximal cardiopulmonary exercise performance on International Ski Federation (Fédération Internationale de Ski) World Cup ranking (FIS ranking) in elite Austrian Alpine skiers. METHODS Over 7 World Cup seasons (2012-2018), exercise data (maximal oxygen uptake and maximum power output, lactate threshold 2, and ventilatory threshold 2, based on stepwise cycle spiroergometry) were analyzed to determine whether there was a correlation between world FIS ranking and exercise capacity of male and female elite Alpine skiers. RESULTS The data of 39 male skiers (age: 27.67 [4.20] y, body mass index: 26.03 [1.25] kg/m2) and 36 female skiers (age: 25.49 [3.18] y, body mass index: 22.97 [1.71] kg/m2) were included in this study. The maximum oxygen uptake and maximum power output ranged from 4.37 to 4.42 W/kg and 53.41 to 54.85 mL/kg/min in men and from 4.17 to 4.30 W/kg and 45.96 to 49.16 mL/kg/min in women, respectively, ov...

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 2020

OBJECTIVES The frequency of sternochondroplasty in cases of pectus carinatum (PC) has increased d... more OBJECTIVES The frequency of sternochondroplasty in cases of pectus carinatum (PC) has increased due to greater surgeon experience and modified surgical techniques. PC deformity does not usually cause cardiopulmonary malfunction or impairment. However, whether cardiopulmonary function changes after surgical repair remains a matter of controversy. The aim of our prospective study was to determine if surgery changes preoperative cardiopulmonary function. METHODS Nineteen patients (16 males, 3 females) were enrolled in a prospective, open-label, single-arm, single-centre clinical trial (Impact of Surgical Treatments of Thoracic Deformation on Cardiopulmonary Function) (NCT02163265) between July 2013 and January 2017. All patients underwent PC repair via a modified Ravitch procedure and wore a lightweight, patient-controlled chest brace for 8 weeks postoperatively (the Innsbruck protocol). The average follow-up surgical examination was 8.3 months after surgery. In all enrolled patients, ...

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2019

Morawetz, D, Blank, C, Koller, A, Arvandi, M, Siebert, U, and Schobersberger, W. Sex-related diff... more Morawetz, D, Blank, C, Koller, A, Arvandi, M, Siebert, U, and Schobersberger, W. Sex-related differences after a single bout of maximal eccentric exercise in response to acute effects: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The most prominent effects after unaccustomed eccentric exercise are muscle damage, muscle soreness, strength loss, and higher concentrations of muscle proteins in the plasma. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate sex-related differences in these acute effects. A systematic literature search in MEDLINE following the PRISMA guidelines was performed. Inclusion criteria were the difference in absolute outcomes between sexes in eccentric muscle strength, strength loss after eccentric exercise, blood concentrations of creatine kinase (CK), and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Results for maximal eccentric torque and CK data were pooled using a random-effect meta-analysis. A meta-regression was conducted to explain heterogeneity. Based on the 23 included trials, men showed significantly higher absolute eccentric strength. No sex-related differences were detected when normalizing strength for body mass, cross-sectional area of the muscle, or fat-free mass. Women displayed a tendency toward greater relative strength loss immediately after exercise. The absolute CK concentrations of men were significantly higher after exercise-induced muscle damage. No significant difference was found between sexes in DOMS. Untrained men and women display similar responses in all measures of relative muscle strength and DOMS. Apart from the enzymatic activity after exercise and the levels of absolute eccentric torque, there is no evidence for sex-related differences immediately after eccentric exercise. Therefore, eccentric training might have the same impact on men and women. One potential sex difference with practical relevance would be the possible difference in fatigue pattern immediately after eccentric exercise.

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2022

The International Standard for Education (ISE) mandates Code Signatories to plan, deliver, and ev... more The International Standard for Education (ISE) mandates Code Signatories to plan, deliver, and evaluate anti-doping education. Performance-based evaluation of anti-doping education requires alignment between educational goals, content, and defined outcomes. Based on an existentialist teaching and learning philosophy, we aimed to develop and test an anti-doping impact evaluation tool, to assess the impact of anti-doping education on doping awareness, literacy (DAL), perceived trust, and legitimacy. We propose that the impact of anti-doping education is best captured through assessment of situation-specific (social) cognitive mediators of actions that influence athletes' choices in the context of sport-related goals. In phase one, we aimed to develop and test the Generating Research-based Assessment Data to Evidence the ImpacT of anti-doping education (GRADE IT) evaluation tool that comprised a set of social cognitive components: anti-doping knowledge, DAL, perceived trust, and le...

Die Zukunft der Qualitativen Forschung

Zahlreiche Tourismusangebote in der Tiroler Tourismuswirtschaft sind derzeit in vielen Fällen auf... more Zahlreiche Tourismusangebote in der Tiroler Tourismuswirtschaft sind derzeit in vielen Fällen auf den Wellness-Gast ausgerichtet. Jedoch zeigt sich in der Wirtschaft im Allgemeinen, aber auch im Tiroler Tourismus eine neue und zahlungskräftige Zielgruppe: die Silver Ager, wie Personen über 50 Jahre gerne genannt werden. Diese Zielgruppe hat eigene Ansprüche, die nicht zuletzt aus dem tiefgreifenden Wandel der Altersstruktur resultieren, sich durch längere Gesundheit, Fitness, Autonomie sowie einer differenzierten Urlaubsgestaltung auszeichnen. Das bringt ökonomischen Nutzen und ist für die Angebotsgestaltung relevant, vorausgesetzt man kennt deren Bedürfnisse und Ansprüche. Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist es, die Ansprüche der Silver Ager im Tourismus zu erforschen. Dafür wurden 15 Silver Ager zu Urlaub allgemein, Traumurlaub, Hier und Jetzt, Herzenswunsch und dem gedanklich-emotionalen Urlaubsbild befragt. Das Ergebnis zeigt klar definierte Urlaubswünsche: Ruhe, Natur, Auszeit, kinderfreies Hotel, Kombination Bewegung-Entspannung-gutes Essen und der aufmerksame Umgang durch ein geschultes Hotelpersonal. Werbung interessiert nicht. Gebucht wird auf Empfehlung und direkt. Silver Ager brauchen Sicherheit und mögen Veränderung nicht. Sie werden Stammgäste, wenn ein abwechslungsreiches Individual-Programm geboten wird. Bedürfnisse und Ansprüche werden direkt im Hotel besprochen, wo Persönlichkeit und Wertschätzung an oberster Stelle stehen. Für touristische Akteure heißt das Verantwortung und gelebte Interaktion. Für richtungsweisende Institutionen kann es ein Impuls sein, sich mit den Ansprüchen der Silver Ager dezidierter auseinanderzusetzen und proaktiv zu werden.

Journal of Risk and Financial Management

Anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) can lead to sports-related and legal sanctions, thus, being k... more Anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) can lead to sports-related and legal sanctions, thus, being knowledgeable is important. Research into this knowledge and how athletes and their support personnel (ASP) perceive the control mechanisms and the appropriateness of (legal) sanctions is still scarce. This explorative study aimed to examine the knowledge and perception of existing (legal) sanctions in Austria, by distributing a questionnaire to Austrian athletes and ASP covering the topics of knowledge related to legal and sports-related consequences associated with a specific ADRV presented in a case study, their trust and satisfaction with specific agencies (based on the European Social Survey (ESS)) and perceived efficiency and effectiveness of the doping control system. Data were analyzed descriptively. All respondents (N = 59) agreed on a ban from sport to be appropriate. Knowledge about legal consequences and the trust in the judiciary and the sport governing bodies was moderate (6...

Doping represents a relevant problem even in young athletes, but empirical knowledge of psycholog... more Doping represents a relevant problem even in young athletes, but empirical knowledge of psychological factors that influence this behavior remains sparse. The present study investigated the predictive potential of different psychological factors, namely well-being, confidence and fear of success, goal orientation, performance motivation and locus of control, on doping susceptibility in junior athletes. As part of this cross-sectional study, 1,265 Austrian athletes (age: 14-19) completed psychometric scales (i.e. Berne Questionnaire of Well-Being in Adolescents; Questionnaire for Evaluating Mental Competencies and Attitudes in Sport) measuring these constructs. According to multiple regression analysis, positive attitude towards life and performance motivation were negative, while depressive mood, self-esteem, fear of failure and self-oriented goal orientation were positive, predictors of doping susceptibility, explaining 21.7% of the variance in doping susceptibility. The study corr...

Sportverletzung · Sportschaden

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate sports activity before anterior cruciate ligame... more Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate sports activity before anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and after surgical treatment of ACL rupture comparing ACL repair with an Internal Brace to ACL reconstruction using either a hamstring (HT) or quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft. Methods Between 12/2015 and 10/2016, we recruited 69 patients with a mean age of 33.4 years for a matched-pair analysis. Twenty-four patients who underwent Internal Brace reconstruction were matched according to age (± 5 years), gender, Tegner activity scale (± 1), BMI (± 1) and concomitant injuries with 25 patients who had undergone HT reconstruction and 20 patients who had undergone QT reconstruction. The minimum follow-up was 12 months. Results Overall, the return-to-sports rate was 91.3 %. There were no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in the number of sports disciplines and the time before return to sports within or among the groups. Overall and within the groups, the level of sports partici...

Journal of Sport and Health Science

Background: One main purpose of the World Anti-Doping Agency was to harmonize anti-doping efforts... more Background: One main purpose of the World Anti-Doping Agency was to harmonize anti-doping efforts, including the provision of anti-doping education. A multifaceted approach to doping prevention can play a key role in preventing intentional and unintentional doping. This article aimed to systematically record and evaluate doping prevention approaches in the form of information and education activities of national antidoping organizations (NADOs) and assess the extent to which a multifaceted doping prevention approach has been realized. Methods: Data on anti-doping information and education activities of 53 NADOs were collected via a survey and an online search of the NADOs' websites. Prevention activities were classified into knowledge focused, affective focused, social skills, life skills, and ethic-and valuebased. The implementation of the prevention activities was assessed by 4 independent raters using a modified visual analogue scale. Results: In total, 59% of the NADOs (n = 38) returned the survey and 70% (n = 45) had information available online. The data were combined for the visual analogue scale assessment. Overall, 58% of the NADOs (n = 37) reported offering activities including elements of all 5 approaches. Results of the raters' assessments indicated that the knowledge-focused approach was best implemented; the implementation of the other 4 approaches was largely unsatisfactory. The most common barriers to implementing doping prevention programs reported by the NADOs were lack of resources (n = 26) and difficulties in collaborating with sports organizations (n = 8). Conclusion: Results show a discrepancy between NADOs' self-report data and the implementation assessment. Even though the NADOs indicated otherwise, most of their education-based approaches did not address aspects of the visual analogue scale (e.g., resisting peer pressure) and only a few programs were ongoing. Possible explanations might be found in the reported barriers (e.g., financial). Concrete guidelines defining multifaceted, values-based education, and best practice examples should be developed to indicate how to include all 5 approaches in prevention.

Journal of Sport & Tourism, 2011

The main aim of this research is to explore the importance of tourism within the motivation of vo... more The main aim of this research is to explore the importance of tourism within the motivation of volunteers, focusing on a case study of the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. Volunteers have mostly been ignored as a subject of research in almost all fields and there is a need for a deeper understanding of the diverse nature of sport event volunteer tourism. The study on 225 volunteers at the Championships investigated a range of 50 motivations framed by Pearce's (2005) Travel Career Pattern, as well as Snyder's (1993) Volunteer Function Inventory, Farell et al.'s (1998) volunteer classification and Stebbins' (1992) work on serious and project-based leisure. Overall, the results indicated volunteer-based motivations that are generally more important than the tourism-based considerations. The age and gender of the volunteers had an influence on more of the volunteer-based motives compared with tourism. A considerable proportion of volunteers perceived themselves to be a tourist, and there was a desire to further take part in tourism activities, in addition to their volunteering duties, while at the event. Destination managers and volunteer event coordinators should be aware that the link to tourism may strategically help to increase commitment and experience satisfaction levels among the volunteers, who are less obvious and thus a potential tourism market.

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of Tai Chi training on muscle strength, physical endurance, po... more ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of Tai Chi training on muscle strength, physical endurance, postural balance and flexibility, as measured by tests commonly used in health-related fitness or competitive sports contexts.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesThe following databases were searched up to 31 July 2020: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PubMed and SPORTDiscus.Eligibility criteria for studiesInclusion: (1) Randomised controlled trials published in German or English; (2) Tai Chi used as an intervention to improve physical performance; (3) Test methods commonly used in health-related fitness or competitive sports and (4) Participants aged ≥16 years (irrespective of health status). Exclusion: (1) Studies not focusing on Tai Chi or including Tai Chi mixed with other interventions and (2) Modified or less than eight Tai Chi movements.ResultsOut of 3817 records, 31 studies were included in the review, 21 of them in the meta-analysis. Significant improvements...

Sport is known to have many positive effects on mental and physical health. High-intensity exerci... more Sport is known to have many positive effects on mental and physical health. High-intensity exercise is considered to decrease muscle strength and induce muscle fatigue, which is associated with a higher risk of injury. In recreational alpine skiers, a decrease of eccentric peak hamstring torque, as an indication of muscle fatigue, occurs even after 1 day of skiing. The popularity of ski mountaineering is increasing enormously, but no studies are available on its effects on muscle strength. Therefore, the present study examined the consequences of ski mountaineering on muscle fatigue of the concentric/eccentric quadriceps and/or hamstrings. In addition, a possible role of myofascial foam rolling in reducing muscle fatigue was evaluated. Fifty recreational ski mountaineers (27 males, 23 females) completed five consecutive tours of ski mountaineering within 1 week. After each day of skiing, participants underwent an isokinetic muscle test assessing the concentric and eccentric muscle s...

Background . Although literature on sports psychology outlines parental influence in various area... more Background . Although literature on sports psychology outlines parental influence in various areas, research has not focused on its potential in the framework of doping. Objective . To assess whether parents’ knowledge about doping effects, and their behaviour and beliefs might act as a protecting factor for Austrian junior (14 - 18 years) elite athletes’ doping susceptibility (DS). Methods . Questionnaires were distributed to 1 818 student athletes and their parents. As well as collecting sociodemographic data, information about current sports activity levels and the former sports careers of parents, the following categories were included: (i) knowledge about effects of doping; (ii) parental behaviour; (iii) parental beliefs about athletes’ skills to become a professional athlete; and (iv) DS. Results . In total 527 data sets were entered for analysis. Current state of knowledge was significantly different between mothers (0.72 (0.2)) and fathers (0.76 (0.2)) (p=0.003). Next to si...

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

Journal of Physiological Anthropology

Background: Bright light (BL) has been shown to be effective in enhancing both cognitive and phys... more Background: Bright light (BL) has been shown to be effective in enhancing both cognitive and physical performances. Alterations in nighttime melatonin levels have also been observed. However, evaluations of light-induced changes in the preceding biochemical processes are absent. Therefore, the impact of a single morning BL exposure on sensorimotor and visuomotor performance, as well as tryptophan (trp) and trp metabolites, was evaluated in this study. Methods: In a crossover design, 33 healthy volunteers were randomly exposed to 30 min of < 150 lx at eye level (office light, OL) and 5000 lx at eye level (bright light, BL) of 6500 K in the morning hours. Trp, sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s), and kynurenine (kyn) courses over the morning hours were analyzed, and changes in sensori-and visuomotor measures were examined. Results: Motoric performance increased in both setups, independent of light intensity. aMT6s and kyn decreased equally under both lighting conditions. Trp levels decreased from a mean (95% confidence interval) of 82.0 (77.2-86.9) to 66.5 (62.5-70.1) in the OL setup only. Conclusion: These data suggest that BL in the morning hours has a limited effect on visuo-and sensorimotor performance. Nevertheless, trp degradation pathways in the morning show diverse courses after OL and BL exposure. This suggests that trp courses can potentially be altered by BL exposure.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

ObjectivesWe describe compliance with the ‘IOC Needle Policy’ at two Winter Olympic Games (Sochi ... more ObjectivesWe describe compliance with the ‘IOC Needle Policy’ at two Winter Olympic Games (Sochi and PyeongChang) and compare these findings to those of the Summer Olympic Games of Rio de Janeiro.MethodAll needle-use declaration(s) (NUD) received during the course of the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Games were reviewed. We recorded socio-demographic data, the nature and purpose of needle use, product(s) injected, and route of administration. Data were analysed descriptively.ResultsIn total, doctors from 22 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) submitted 122 NUD involving 82 athletes in Sochi; in PyeongChang, doctors from 19 NOCs submitted 82 NUD involving 61 athletes. This represented approximately 2% of all athletes at both Games, and 25% and 20% of all NOCs participating in Sochi and PyeongChang, respectively. No marked differences in the NUD distribution patterns were apparent when comparing the two Winter Olympic Games. The most commonly administered substances were as follows: local anae...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Stress in the work place has a detrimental effect on people's health. Sufficient recovery is nece... more Stress in the work place has a detrimental effect on people's health. Sufficient recovery is necessary to counteract severe chronic negative load reactions. Previous research has shown that vacationing for at least seven consecutive days provided an efficient recovery strategy. Yet, thus far, the effects of short vacations and the mode of vacation (whether at home or in a new environment) have rarely been studied. We investigated the immediate and long-term effects of a short vacation (four nights) on well-being and perceived stress and whether the mode of vacation impacted on these results. Data was obtained from 40 middle managers (67.5% men and 32.5% women). The intervention group (n = 20) spent a short vacation in a hotel outside their usual environment. The control group (n = 20) spent their vacation at home. Results indicated that one single short-term vacation, independent of the mode, has large, positive and immediate effects on perceived stress, recovery, strain, and well-being. Strain levels decreased to a greater extent in the intervention group compared to the control group. The effects can still be detected at 30 days (recovery) and 45 days (well-being and strain) post-vacation. Encouraging middle management employees to take short vacations seems to be an efficient health promotion strategy; environmental effects seem to play a minor role.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Physical activities have been proven to have an impact on general well-being in everyday life; ho... more Physical activities have been proven to have an impact on general well-being in everyday life; however, literature lacks an analysis of the effects of physical activities in vacation settings. Thus, the study aimed at assessing the impacts of physical activity on well-being during vacation by taking a longitudinal approach. We utilized a pre-post within-subject design (n = 101) by testing vacationers prior to, during, and after their vacation in an alpine environment. Therefore, a series of eight linear mixed model analyses of co-variance was performed. The results suggested that the duration of a vacation and the amount of physical activity have a positive impact on the components of well-being, which was expressed by changes in the activation, elation, excitement, and calmness subscales of the Mood Survey Scale. Demographic patterns did not reveal any influences. Physical activity might be a marker for well-being, which influences people’s everyday life and leisure time behavior b...

Sustainability

Previous research has concentrated on traffic and health-related effects in relation to arrival p... more Previous research has concentrated on traffic and health-related effects in relation to arrival patterns (e.g., stress in connection with means of transport, travel distance, and time). However, tourist mobility behavior during a vacation and potential health-related associations as well as its correlation with physical activity habits and mobility patterns at home seems to have barely been examined. To address this research gap, the study at hand applied a mixed-method approach in three tourism destinations in Tyrol, Austria. The study examined tourists’ mobility as well as their physical activity at home and at the holiday destination. Results show that the preferred transport mode (arrival and on-site) is the private car, due to its flexibility and comfort. Hotel front desks, as the main information source, determine tourists’ behavioral aspects during a vacation. General mobility routines show differences between everyday life and holiday situations, and physical activity is imp...

The TQM Journal

PurposeThis study aims to address customer focus as an important component of total quality manag... more PurposeThis study aims to address customer focus as an important component of total quality management (TQM) and explore the key drivers of member satisfaction in tennis clubs via a novel theory-based member satisfaction index (MSI) model with high explanatory and predictive power. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate the relationship between satisfaction and behavioral intentions (willingness to stay; WTS) with consideration of the mediating effect of identification with the club.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses variance-based partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to estimate the MSI model, which was tested in a leading tennis club in Germany (n = 185).FindingsThe results reveal that club atmosphere, club facilities and the price/quality ratio of the membership fee are the most important drivers of member satisfaction in tennis clubs. Member satisfaction has a large influence on the WTS of tennis club members. Identification with the club, whe...

International journal of sports physiology and performance, 2021

PURPOSE To analyze the predictive value of parameters of submaximal and maximal cardiopulmonary e... more PURPOSE To analyze the predictive value of parameters of submaximal and maximal cardiopulmonary exercise performance on International Ski Federation (Fédération Internationale de Ski) World Cup ranking (FIS ranking) in elite Austrian Alpine skiers. METHODS Over 7 World Cup seasons (2012-2018), exercise data (maximal oxygen uptake and maximum power output, lactate threshold 2, and ventilatory threshold 2, based on stepwise cycle spiroergometry) were analyzed to determine whether there was a correlation between world FIS ranking and exercise capacity of male and female elite Alpine skiers. RESULTS The data of 39 male skiers (age: 27.67 [4.20] y, body mass index: 26.03 [1.25] kg/m2) and 36 female skiers (age: 25.49 [3.18] y, body mass index: 22.97 [1.71] kg/m2) were included in this study. The maximum oxygen uptake and maximum power output ranged from 4.37 to 4.42 W/kg and 53.41 to 54.85 mL/kg/min in men and from 4.17 to 4.30 W/kg and 45.96 to 49.16 mL/kg/min in women, respectively, ov...

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 2020

OBJECTIVES The frequency of sternochondroplasty in cases of pectus carinatum (PC) has increased d... more OBJECTIVES The frequency of sternochondroplasty in cases of pectus carinatum (PC) has increased due to greater surgeon experience and modified surgical techniques. PC deformity does not usually cause cardiopulmonary malfunction or impairment. However, whether cardiopulmonary function changes after surgical repair remains a matter of controversy. The aim of our prospective study was to determine if surgery changes preoperative cardiopulmonary function. METHODS Nineteen patients (16 males, 3 females) were enrolled in a prospective, open-label, single-arm, single-centre clinical trial (Impact of Surgical Treatments of Thoracic Deformation on Cardiopulmonary Function) (NCT02163265) between July 2013 and January 2017. All patients underwent PC repair via a modified Ravitch procedure and wore a lightweight, patient-controlled chest brace for 8 weeks postoperatively (the Innsbruck protocol). The average follow-up surgical examination was 8.3 months after surgery. In all enrolled patients, ...

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2019

Morawetz, D, Blank, C, Koller, A, Arvandi, M, Siebert, U, and Schobersberger, W. Sex-related diff... more Morawetz, D, Blank, C, Koller, A, Arvandi, M, Siebert, U, and Schobersberger, W. Sex-related differences after a single bout of maximal eccentric exercise in response to acute effects: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The most prominent effects after unaccustomed eccentric exercise are muscle damage, muscle soreness, strength loss, and higher concentrations of muscle proteins in the plasma. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate sex-related differences in these acute effects. A systematic literature search in MEDLINE following the PRISMA guidelines was performed. Inclusion criteria were the difference in absolute outcomes between sexes in eccentric muscle strength, strength loss after eccentric exercise, blood concentrations of creatine kinase (CK), and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Results for maximal eccentric torque and CK data were pooled using a random-effect meta-analysis. A meta-regression was conducted to explain heterogeneity. Based on the 23 included trials, men showed significantly higher absolute eccentric strength. No sex-related differences were detected when normalizing strength for body mass, cross-sectional area of the muscle, or fat-free mass. Women displayed a tendency toward greater relative strength loss immediately after exercise. The absolute CK concentrations of men were significantly higher after exercise-induced muscle damage. No significant difference was found between sexes in DOMS. Untrained men and women display similar responses in all measures of relative muscle strength and DOMS. Apart from the enzymatic activity after exercise and the levels of absolute eccentric torque, there is no evidence for sex-related differences immediately after eccentric exercise. Therefore, eccentric training might have the same impact on men and women. One potential sex difference with practical relevance would be the possible difference in fatigue pattern immediately after eccentric exercise.

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2022

The International Standard for Education (ISE) mandates Code Signatories to plan, deliver, and ev... more The International Standard for Education (ISE) mandates Code Signatories to plan, deliver, and evaluate anti-doping education. Performance-based evaluation of anti-doping education requires alignment between educational goals, content, and defined outcomes. Based on an existentialist teaching and learning philosophy, we aimed to develop and test an anti-doping impact evaluation tool, to assess the impact of anti-doping education on doping awareness, literacy (DAL), perceived trust, and legitimacy. We propose that the impact of anti-doping education is best captured through assessment of situation-specific (social) cognitive mediators of actions that influence athletes' choices in the context of sport-related goals. In phase one, we aimed to develop and test the Generating Research-based Assessment Data to Evidence the ImpacT of anti-doping education (GRADE IT) evaluation tool that comprised a set of social cognitive components: anti-doping knowledge, DAL, perceived trust, and le...

Die Zukunft der Qualitativen Forschung

Zahlreiche Tourismusangebote in der Tiroler Tourismuswirtschaft sind derzeit in vielen Fällen auf... more Zahlreiche Tourismusangebote in der Tiroler Tourismuswirtschaft sind derzeit in vielen Fällen auf den Wellness-Gast ausgerichtet. Jedoch zeigt sich in der Wirtschaft im Allgemeinen, aber auch im Tiroler Tourismus eine neue und zahlungskräftige Zielgruppe: die Silver Ager, wie Personen über 50 Jahre gerne genannt werden. Diese Zielgruppe hat eigene Ansprüche, die nicht zuletzt aus dem tiefgreifenden Wandel der Altersstruktur resultieren, sich durch längere Gesundheit, Fitness, Autonomie sowie einer differenzierten Urlaubsgestaltung auszeichnen. Das bringt ökonomischen Nutzen und ist für die Angebotsgestaltung relevant, vorausgesetzt man kennt deren Bedürfnisse und Ansprüche. Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist es, die Ansprüche der Silver Ager im Tourismus zu erforschen. Dafür wurden 15 Silver Ager zu Urlaub allgemein, Traumurlaub, Hier und Jetzt, Herzenswunsch und dem gedanklich-emotionalen Urlaubsbild befragt. Das Ergebnis zeigt klar definierte Urlaubswünsche: Ruhe, Natur, Auszeit, kinderfreies Hotel, Kombination Bewegung-Entspannung-gutes Essen und der aufmerksame Umgang durch ein geschultes Hotelpersonal. Werbung interessiert nicht. Gebucht wird auf Empfehlung und direkt. Silver Ager brauchen Sicherheit und mögen Veränderung nicht. Sie werden Stammgäste, wenn ein abwechslungsreiches Individual-Programm geboten wird. Bedürfnisse und Ansprüche werden direkt im Hotel besprochen, wo Persönlichkeit und Wertschätzung an oberster Stelle stehen. Für touristische Akteure heißt das Verantwortung und gelebte Interaktion. Für richtungsweisende Institutionen kann es ein Impuls sein, sich mit den Ansprüchen der Silver Ager dezidierter auseinanderzusetzen und proaktiv zu werden.

Journal of Risk and Financial Management

Anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) can lead to sports-related and legal sanctions, thus, being k... more Anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) can lead to sports-related and legal sanctions, thus, being knowledgeable is important. Research into this knowledge and how athletes and their support personnel (ASP) perceive the control mechanisms and the appropriateness of (legal) sanctions is still scarce. This explorative study aimed to examine the knowledge and perception of existing (legal) sanctions in Austria, by distributing a questionnaire to Austrian athletes and ASP covering the topics of knowledge related to legal and sports-related consequences associated with a specific ADRV presented in a case study, their trust and satisfaction with specific agencies (based on the European Social Survey (ESS)) and perceived efficiency and effectiveness of the doping control system. Data were analyzed descriptively. All respondents (N = 59) agreed on a ban from sport to be appropriate. Knowledge about legal consequences and the trust in the judiciary and the sport governing bodies was moderate (6...

Doping represents a relevant problem even in young athletes, but empirical knowledge of psycholog... more Doping represents a relevant problem even in young athletes, but empirical knowledge of psychological factors that influence this behavior remains sparse. The present study investigated the predictive potential of different psychological factors, namely well-being, confidence and fear of success, goal orientation, performance motivation and locus of control, on doping susceptibility in junior athletes. As part of this cross-sectional study, 1,265 Austrian athletes (age: 14-19) completed psychometric scales (i.e. Berne Questionnaire of Well-Being in Adolescents; Questionnaire for Evaluating Mental Competencies and Attitudes in Sport) measuring these constructs. According to multiple regression analysis, positive attitude towards life and performance motivation were negative, while depressive mood, self-esteem, fear of failure and self-oriented goal orientation were positive, predictors of doping susceptibility, explaining 21.7% of the variance in doping susceptibility. The study corr...

Sportverletzung · Sportschaden

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate sports activity before anterior cruciate ligame... more Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate sports activity before anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and after surgical treatment of ACL rupture comparing ACL repair with an Internal Brace to ACL reconstruction using either a hamstring (HT) or quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft. Methods Between 12/2015 and 10/2016, we recruited 69 patients with a mean age of 33.4 years for a matched-pair analysis. Twenty-four patients who underwent Internal Brace reconstruction were matched according to age (± 5 years), gender, Tegner activity scale (± 1), BMI (± 1) and concomitant injuries with 25 patients who had undergone HT reconstruction and 20 patients who had undergone QT reconstruction. The minimum follow-up was 12 months. Results Overall, the return-to-sports rate was 91.3 %. There were no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in the number of sports disciplines and the time before return to sports within or among the groups. Overall and within the groups, the level of sports partici...

Journal of Sport and Health Science

Background: One main purpose of the World Anti-Doping Agency was to harmonize anti-doping efforts... more Background: One main purpose of the World Anti-Doping Agency was to harmonize anti-doping efforts, including the provision of anti-doping education. A multifaceted approach to doping prevention can play a key role in preventing intentional and unintentional doping. This article aimed to systematically record and evaluate doping prevention approaches in the form of information and education activities of national antidoping organizations (NADOs) and assess the extent to which a multifaceted doping prevention approach has been realized. Methods: Data on anti-doping information and education activities of 53 NADOs were collected via a survey and an online search of the NADOs' websites. Prevention activities were classified into knowledge focused, affective focused, social skills, life skills, and ethic-and valuebased. The implementation of the prevention activities was assessed by 4 independent raters using a modified visual analogue scale. Results: In total, 59% of the NADOs (n = 38) returned the survey and 70% (n = 45) had information available online. The data were combined for the visual analogue scale assessment. Overall, 58% of the NADOs (n = 37) reported offering activities including elements of all 5 approaches. Results of the raters' assessments indicated that the knowledge-focused approach was best implemented; the implementation of the other 4 approaches was largely unsatisfactory. The most common barriers to implementing doping prevention programs reported by the NADOs were lack of resources (n = 26) and difficulties in collaborating with sports organizations (n = 8). Conclusion: Results show a discrepancy between NADOs' self-report data and the implementation assessment. Even though the NADOs indicated otherwise, most of their education-based approaches did not address aspects of the visual analogue scale (e.g., resisting peer pressure) and only a few programs were ongoing. Possible explanations might be found in the reported barriers (e.g., financial). Concrete guidelines defining multifaceted, values-based education, and best practice examples should be developed to indicate how to include all 5 approaches in prevention.

Journal of Sport & Tourism, 2011

The main aim of this research is to explore the importance of tourism within the motivation of vo... more The main aim of this research is to explore the importance of tourism within the motivation of volunteers, focusing on a case study of the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. Volunteers have mostly been ignored as a subject of research in almost all fields and there is a need for a deeper understanding of the diverse nature of sport event volunteer tourism. The study on 225 volunteers at the Championships investigated a range of 50 motivations framed by Pearce's (2005) Travel Career Pattern, as well as Snyder's (1993) Volunteer Function Inventory, Farell et al.'s (1998) volunteer classification and Stebbins' (1992) work on serious and project-based leisure. Overall, the results indicated volunteer-based motivations that are generally more important than the tourism-based considerations. The age and gender of the volunteers had an influence on more of the volunteer-based motives compared with tourism. A considerable proportion of volunteers perceived themselves to be a tourist, and there was a desire to further take part in tourism activities, in addition to their volunteering duties, while at the event. Destination managers and volunteer event coordinators should be aware that the link to tourism may strategically help to increase commitment and experience satisfaction levels among the volunteers, who are less obvious and thus a potential tourism market.

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of Tai Chi training on muscle strength, physical endurance, po... more ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of Tai Chi training on muscle strength, physical endurance, postural balance and flexibility, as measured by tests commonly used in health-related fitness or competitive sports contexts.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesThe following databases were searched up to 31 July 2020: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PubMed and SPORTDiscus.Eligibility criteria for studiesInclusion: (1) Randomised controlled trials published in German or English; (2) Tai Chi used as an intervention to improve physical performance; (3) Test methods commonly used in health-related fitness or competitive sports and (4) Participants aged ≥16 years (irrespective of health status). Exclusion: (1) Studies not focusing on Tai Chi or including Tai Chi mixed with other interventions and (2) Modified or less than eight Tai Chi movements.ResultsOut of 3817 records, 31 studies were included in the review, 21 of them in the meta-analysis. Significant improvements...

Sport is known to have many positive effects on mental and physical health. High-intensity exerci... more Sport is known to have many positive effects on mental and physical health. High-intensity exercise is considered to decrease muscle strength and induce muscle fatigue, which is associated with a higher risk of injury. In recreational alpine skiers, a decrease of eccentric peak hamstring torque, as an indication of muscle fatigue, occurs even after 1 day of skiing. The popularity of ski mountaineering is increasing enormously, but no studies are available on its effects on muscle strength. Therefore, the present study examined the consequences of ski mountaineering on muscle fatigue of the concentric/eccentric quadriceps and/or hamstrings. In addition, a possible role of myofascial foam rolling in reducing muscle fatigue was evaluated. Fifty recreational ski mountaineers (27 males, 23 females) completed five consecutive tours of ski mountaineering within 1 week. After each day of skiing, participants underwent an isokinetic muscle test assessing the concentric and eccentric muscle s...

Background . Although literature on sports psychology outlines parental influence in various area... more Background . Although literature on sports psychology outlines parental influence in various areas, research has not focused on its potential in the framework of doping. Objective . To assess whether parents’ knowledge about doping effects, and their behaviour and beliefs might act as a protecting factor for Austrian junior (14 - 18 years) elite athletes’ doping susceptibility (DS). Methods . Questionnaires were distributed to 1 818 student athletes and their parents. As well as collecting sociodemographic data, information about current sports activity levels and the former sports careers of parents, the following categories were included: (i) knowledge about effects of doping; (ii) parental behaviour; (iii) parental beliefs about athletes’ skills to become a professional athlete; and (iv) DS. Results . In total 527 data sets were entered for analysis. Current state of knowledge was significantly different between mothers (0.72 (0.2)) and fathers (0.76 (0.2)) (p=0.003). Next to si...

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

Journal of Physiological Anthropology

Background: Bright light (BL) has been shown to be effective in enhancing both cognitive and phys... more Background: Bright light (BL) has been shown to be effective in enhancing both cognitive and physical performances. Alterations in nighttime melatonin levels have also been observed. However, evaluations of light-induced changes in the preceding biochemical processes are absent. Therefore, the impact of a single morning BL exposure on sensorimotor and visuomotor performance, as well as tryptophan (trp) and trp metabolites, was evaluated in this study. Methods: In a crossover design, 33 healthy volunteers were randomly exposed to 30 min of < 150 lx at eye level (office light, OL) and 5000 lx at eye level (bright light, BL) of 6500 K in the morning hours. Trp, sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s), and kynurenine (kyn) courses over the morning hours were analyzed, and changes in sensori-and visuomotor measures were examined. Results: Motoric performance increased in both setups, independent of light intensity. aMT6s and kyn decreased equally under both lighting conditions. Trp levels decreased from a mean (95% confidence interval) of 82.0 (77.2-86.9) to 66.5 (62.5-70.1) in the OL setup only. Conclusion: These data suggest that BL in the morning hours has a limited effect on visuo-and sensorimotor performance. Nevertheless, trp degradation pathways in the morning show diverse courses after OL and BL exposure. This suggests that trp courses can potentially be altered by BL exposure.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

ObjectivesWe describe compliance with the ‘IOC Needle Policy’ at two Winter Olympic Games (Sochi ... more ObjectivesWe describe compliance with the ‘IOC Needle Policy’ at two Winter Olympic Games (Sochi and PyeongChang) and compare these findings to those of the Summer Olympic Games of Rio de Janeiro.MethodAll needle-use declaration(s) (NUD) received during the course of the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Games were reviewed. We recorded socio-demographic data, the nature and purpose of needle use, product(s) injected, and route of administration. Data were analysed descriptively.ResultsIn total, doctors from 22 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) submitted 122 NUD involving 82 athletes in Sochi; in PyeongChang, doctors from 19 NOCs submitted 82 NUD involving 61 athletes. This represented approximately 2% of all athletes at both Games, and 25% and 20% of all NOCs participating in Sochi and PyeongChang, respectively. No marked differences in the NUD distribution patterns were apparent when comparing the two Winter Olympic Games. The most commonly administered substances were as follows: local anae...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Stress in the work place has a detrimental effect on people's health. Sufficient recovery is nece... more Stress in the work place has a detrimental effect on people's health. Sufficient recovery is necessary to counteract severe chronic negative load reactions. Previous research has shown that vacationing for at least seven consecutive days provided an efficient recovery strategy. Yet, thus far, the effects of short vacations and the mode of vacation (whether at home or in a new environment) have rarely been studied. We investigated the immediate and long-term effects of a short vacation (four nights) on well-being and perceived stress and whether the mode of vacation impacted on these results. Data was obtained from 40 middle managers (67.5% men and 32.5% women). The intervention group (n = 20) spent a short vacation in a hotel outside their usual environment. The control group (n = 20) spent their vacation at home. Results indicated that one single short-term vacation, independent of the mode, has large, positive and immediate effects on perceived stress, recovery, strain, and well-being. Strain levels decreased to a greater extent in the intervention group compared to the control group. The effects can still be detected at 30 days (recovery) and 45 days (well-being and strain) post-vacation. Encouraging middle management employees to take short vacations seems to be an efficient health promotion strategy; environmental effects seem to play a minor role.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Physical activities have been proven to have an impact on general well-being in everyday life; ho... more Physical activities have been proven to have an impact on general well-being in everyday life; however, literature lacks an analysis of the effects of physical activities in vacation settings. Thus, the study aimed at assessing the impacts of physical activity on well-being during vacation by taking a longitudinal approach. We utilized a pre-post within-subject design (n = 101) by testing vacationers prior to, during, and after their vacation in an alpine environment. Therefore, a series of eight linear mixed model analyses of co-variance was performed. The results suggested that the duration of a vacation and the amount of physical activity have a positive impact on the components of well-being, which was expressed by changes in the activation, elation, excitement, and calmness subscales of the Mood Survey Scale. Demographic patterns did not reveal any influences. Physical activity might be a marker for well-being, which influences people’s everyday life and leisure time behavior b...

Sustainability

Previous research has concentrated on traffic and health-related effects in relation to arrival p... more Previous research has concentrated on traffic and health-related effects in relation to arrival patterns (e.g., stress in connection with means of transport, travel distance, and time). However, tourist mobility behavior during a vacation and potential health-related associations as well as its correlation with physical activity habits and mobility patterns at home seems to have barely been examined. To address this research gap, the study at hand applied a mixed-method approach in three tourism destinations in Tyrol, Austria. The study examined tourists’ mobility as well as their physical activity at home and at the holiday destination. Results show that the preferred transport mode (arrival and on-site) is the private car, due to its flexibility and comfort. Hotel front desks, as the main information source, determine tourists’ behavioral aspects during a vacation. General mobility routines show differences between everyday life and holiday situations, and physical activity is imp...