Objective: This study evaluated changes in self-efficacy in non-physically active adolescent girls (13–19 years old) who participated in a six-month, empowerment-based exercise intervention programme (EIP). Design: The study used a pre- and post-test randomized group design and included one pre- and one post-test (at six months) and non-physically active adolescent girls ( N = 110) were assigned to an intervention group ( n = 54) or a comparison group ( n = 56). Setting: Two upper secondary schools and five secondary schools, located in the low socio-economic areas of two communities in southern Sweden were involved in the study. Method: The Swedish version of a 10-item General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES) and the Social Barriers to Exercise Self-efficacy Questionnaire (SPBESQ) were used. In addition, BMI and results from a physical fitness test were measured. For statistical analysis, the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Wilcoxon’s matched-pairs signed-rank test were used. Results: Analysis showed a statistically significant difference in GSES scores ( p = 0.037) between the groups after the EIP was implemented. Girls in the intervention group had increased their levels of general perceived self-efficacy ( p = 0.004). Both groups increased their level of physical fitness (intervention, p = 0.06 and control, p = 0.013). BMI increased in the control group ( p = 0.031). Conclusions: The EIP had an impact on adolescent girls’ general perceived self-efficacy and can be regarded as an outcome of empowerment that indicates the development of the adolescent girls’ ability to effectively deal with a variety of stressful situations in general.

Psychological Momentum (PM) is commonly referred to in competitive sports, but still has to be considered elusive from a scientific perspective. This study explores coaches’ perception of triggers, strategies and characteristics of PM in female elite handball teams. Semi-structured interviews with nine coaches were evaluated using a qualitative content analysis. The results revealed that positive and negative PM were characterized by factors regarding behavior, cognition, confidence, emotions, and the team. Triggers for positive PM were categorized into confidence, players’ individual factors, team factors, and team-opponent-factors, whereas triggers for negative PM related to coach factors, confidence, external factors, players’ individual factors, and team factors. Moreover, strategies emerged that are considered beneficial for controlling PM. The results are discussed with emphasis on behavioral aspects, confidence, emotions, team factors, and application. Foundations based on this study and recent research lead to the assumption that PM is probably best portrayed in a circular approach.

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with self-reported physical activity (PA), self-perceived physical fitness and competence in physical education (PE) among young children. The study included physical tests, anthropometric measures and a questionnaire. The study group comprised 206 children (114 boys and 92 girls, aged 8-12 years). Positive Odds Ratio was used in the logistic regression analyses. High level of self-reported PA was associated with membership of sport clubs and high self-perceived physical fitness. Variables associated with high self-perceived competence in PE were low age, high physical performance, living with both parents, high self-perceived physical fitness, male gender and enjoying PE. Variables associated with high self-perceived physical fitness were low age, high performance in endurance running, high self-reported PA, positive self-perceived body function and high self-perceived competence in PE. Correlations between children's self-perceived competence in PE and actual measured physical performance, between the self-perceived fitness and endurance performance and between self-reported PA and physical performance could be seen as a form of concurrent validity. One implication of the study for practitioners might be that children's own perceptions of their physical competence and activity levels could be used to roughly identify groups of children who are at risk of remaining physically inactive and therefore more prone to be unhealthy.

This study investigates elite coaches' attitudes toward eating disorders (ED), knowledge about ED, and early intervention skills when confronted with possible ED in their female athletes. We interviewed 18 coaches in Sweden responsible for athletes representing national teams in the three sports categories most at risk for ED: aesthetic, weight class, and endurance. The interviews revealed that, although most coaches knew athletes with ED, they did not perceive ED as a problem in their sport. The majority of coaches cited difficulties in identifying ED symptoms, especially symptoms associated with bulimia nervosa. Coaches also described several barriers in approaching the athletes, including the athletes' denial of ED, lack of female colleagues on the team and the lack of easily accessible resources for treatment referral on both the national sports federation and the club levels. This study reveals that elite coaches have insufficient capacity to identify ED and conduct early intervention, resulting in delayed treatment. INTRODUCTIONNot all athletes are at elevated risk for developing eating disorders (ED), but for those who are, early intervention by coaches can be crucial. High prevalence rates of ED have been documented in aesthetic, endurance, and weight class sports [1][2][3][4]. High prevalence rates may be a result of specific demands placed on athletes. For example, success in aesthetic sports such as rhythmic gymnastics requires a low body weight and lean appearance, which may lead to pressure to maintain a thin figure from judges, coaches, and parents. In a study of female figure skaters competing in pair skating and ice dancing, all skaters, though lean, reported trying to lose weight [5]. In response to the question "Do you think that there are pressures associated with figure skating to lose weight or maintain a below average weight?" 92.7% of figure skaters responded "yes". The same pattern occurred in a study of elite rhythmic gymnasts, members of the Norwegian national team [6]. Likewise, in endurance sports, where leanness is deemed key to optimal performance, and in weight class sports, where an athlete's body weight determines her/his classification in competition, dieting and disordered eating practices are highly prevalent [3]. Gender is one risk factor for ED among athletes, with female athletes especially at risk [7][8][9]. Another risk factor is the level of performance, with athletes at the highest levels of competition being at the highest risk [10][11][12]. Factors that contribute to risk, both environmental (e.g., the intense pressure to be thin) and attitudinal (e.g., persistence, perfectionist tendencies), are common in elite athletes [13]. Collectively, as female athletes performing on elite levels in aesthetic, endurance, and weight class sports have been found to engage in disordered eating behaviors and attitudes more frequently than non-elite athletes in the same sports, and more frequently than elite athletes in other sports [10], continuous research is needed to pro...

An interrelation between attitudes to PE and SOC was shown. The relation between positive attitudes to PE and high scores in SOC indicated that past experiences of PA and PE could contribute to the development of SOC, and actual levels of SOC could influence the persistent attitudes to PE and be important for lifelong PA. One means of identification of favourable or unfavourable health behaviour among young people might be through PA patterns, and relations between attitudes to PE and SOC.