ECSS Paris 2023: CP-SH09
INTRODUCTION To maintain and enhance athletes’ motivation to continue participation in sports teams, the effectiveness of routinely monitoring psychological states using digital psychological assessment tools has been reported (Sano & Hamano., 2026). Factors supporting motivation may include those that show consistent associations regardless of team environment, as well as those whose strength of association varies across teams. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between athletes’ psychological states measured using a digital psychological assessment tool and motivation to continue participation, and to investigate differences in the strength of these associations between teams. METHOD A total of 335 athletes from nine sports teams in Japan participated in this study (soccer: 3 teams; track and field: 3 teams; baseball: 1 team; lacrosse: 1 team; cheerleading: 1 team). Motivation to continue participation and six satisfaction-related variables—self-growth, relationships with teammates and coaches, home life, time in daily life, and one's life—were measured using a digital psychological assessment tool (NOCC for Sports). Based on the measurement results, a general linear model was conducted with motivation to continue participation as the dependent variable, and each satisfaction variable, team, and their interaction terms as independent variables. The significance of the main effects of the satisfaction variables was examined, and when significant interactions were observed, simple slope analyses were performed to examine differences in effects between teams. RESULTS The main effects of all six satisfaction variables were significant and positively associated with motivation to continue participation. Significant interactions with team were observed for relationship with coach, satisfaction with home life, and satisfaction with life. Simple slope analyses indicated that satisfaction with the relationship with coach was particularly strongly associated with motivation in track and field school teams and a baseball club team with highly experienced and accomplished coaches. Satisfaction with home life showed strong associations with motivation in soccer and baseball club teams composed of junior and senior high school athletes. Satisfaction with one's life showed strong associations with motivation in track and field school teams composed of university athletes. CONCLUSION Satisfaction measured using a digital psychological assessment tool is a valid indicator associated with motivation to continue participation. The relationships between motivation to continue participation and relationship with coach, satisfaction with home life, and satisfaction with one's life differ across teams, suggesting that these associations tend to be influenced by team-specific characteristics such as coaching systems, activity formats, and athletes’ age groups.
Read CV Takashi SanoECSS Paris 2023: CP-SH09
Introduction: Stroke survivors with aphasia face significant challenges in communication, often leading to difficulties in social interaction and emotional well-being. While physical rehabilitation and speech therapy are commonly prioritized in acute recovery, the synergistic role of psychological factors, specifically self-determination and happiness, alongside physical training in the chronic phase remains under explored. This study explores the role of these factors in the rehabilitation process, aiming to assess how combining self-determination and happiness with physical training can enhance both communication skills and overall recovery outcomes. Methods: A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on semi-structured interviews with two chronic stroke survivors with aphasia (9 and 11 years post-stroke, respectively). Both participants had independently maintained rigorous physical training regimens, including high volume weightlifting and outdoor sports (backcountry skiing, mountain biking). Transcripts were analyzed to identify patterns linking physical exertion, psychological state (motivation, autonomy), and perceived recovery outcomes in speech, mobility, and psychosocial functioning. Results: Analysis revealed that both participants exhibited high levels of self-determination, characterized by an internal locus of control and a refusal to accept clinical recovery "plateaus." Physical training served as a foundational element for holistic well-being, with participants reporting that exercise directly regulated mood, improved sleep patterns, and combated post-stroke depression. Crucially, both survivors perceived a direct link between their physical exertion and improved communication skills. Exercise also acted as a catalyst for social reintegration, providing environments to practice "small talk" and facilitating a return to complex pre-stroke identities, such as business ownership and higher education. Discussion: The findings suggest a bidirectional "happiness-activity loop" where self-determination drives physical engagement, which in turn generates happiness and cognitive-linguistic benefits. This supports the hypothesis that holistic rehabilitation approaches must integrate physical training with autonomy supportive strategies. By addressing the emotional and physical aspects of recovery simultaneously, this approach may unlock continued improvements in communication and quality of life years beyond the traditional recovery window, challenging the "myth of the plateau" in chronic aphasia rehabilitation.
Read CV Pierre-Nicolas LemyreECSS Paris 2023: CP-SH09