Dr Adam Bibbey

Color vision deficiency (CVD) affects approximately one in twelve men (8.3%) in the general population (Simunovic, 2010). Despite the general population prevalence and potential impact, it has received limited attention in sport with low screening rates.

The present study examined the prevalence and impact of CVD in elite soccer. It was hypothesized that prevalence figures in elite sport would be lower than the general population due to CVD challenges.

Male soccer players (N = 156, Mage = 20.9 ± 3.1 years) from professional clubs and national teams from the United Kingdom, Portugal and Denmark completed an online questionnaire to assess if they had been screened for CVD, potential CVD impact and provision provided. Participants also completed the ColourSpot app (University of Sussex) and Ishihara test to assess CVD. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2013) was utilized to examine the qualitative data.

Eight (5.1%) athletes returned a positive result for CVD. Three athletes had been screened previously within soccer. Thematic analysis revealed that CVD had a negative influence on sports participation due to difficulties such as identifying balls and cones, pitch markings and kits. Themes regarding CVD impact highlighted incorrect identification of teammates and impaired decision-making. In terms of coping, themes highlighted a lack of confidence to discuss their CVD with coaches. Coaching support was limited and often short-lived. Themes regarding recommendations for CVD indicated raising awareness for coaches and sporting bodies and consideration of appropriate equipment and kit choice colors.

These results suggest that CVD has a lower prevalence in elite male soccer compared to the general population. The challenges that CVD individuals experience may be a reason for inhibited progression to the highest competitive level. The support from coaches is inadequate, thus coach education and increased awareness would appear beneficial. Further research should examine CVD individuals who exit their sport at academy level to assess the potential impact of CVD. 

Colour vision deficiency (CVD) affects approximately 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women (Simunovic, 2010). Despite the prevalence and potential impact, it has received limited attention in sport. Two focus group interviews with eight male sporting individuals (Age M = 34.3, SD = 6.1) with CVD were conducted to discuss their lived experience. Thematic analysis was utilised to examine the sport-specific themes. Themes indicated that CVD can have a negative impact on sporting participation through difficulties with visual perception such as identifying balls and cones, pitch markings and kits which lead to impaired decision making, poor identification of team-mates and reduced reaction time. In terms of coping with CVD, themes emerged which indicated the use of different cues such as viewing socks rather than shirts and avoidance coping such as not revealing there challenges to coaches due to feelings of embarrassment. Lack of confidence to speak out was also present especially at higher competitive level as this area was more performance focused and an admission of CVD may be viewed as debilitative. Themes regarding practices and recommendations for CVD indicated the use of appropriate colour kits and equipment, raising awareness for coaches and sporting bodies, and formalisation of CVD as a disability/impairment within regulations. Overall, it is evident that CVD can negatively impact the sports participation, performance and well-being in terms of feeling embarrassed or threatened to disclose. Consequently, awareness should be raised so individuals feel confident to speak out and CVD-friendly provision can be provided.

Objectives

Athletes are exposed to a range of organizational stressors, which can lead to dysfunctional outcomes (Simpson et al., 2021). However, limited research has considered the complex transactional pathway. The current study used Arnold and Fletcher’s (2012) classification of organisational stressors to investigate the transactional pathways between organizational stressors and their underpinning situational properties, appraisals, coping, perceived coping effectiveness and impact on performance and well-being in University athletes.

Methods

Six male centre of excellence cricketers (Mage= 23.17, SD = 2.67) completed semi-structured interviews based on previous transactional stress research (Didymus & Fletcher., 2021). Mean perceived coping effectiveness was calculated and subjective impact on performance and well-being classified as positive, neutral or negative. Directed content analysis was used. Conceptually- and time-ordered cross-case causal networks allowed for the creation of a relatively novel way of representing qualitative data.

Results

A wide range of organizational stressors were underpinned by five situational properties. Threat, challenge and harm/loss appraisals were reported with problem solving and support seeking being the highest utilized. Some coping mechanisms i.e,. support seeking, were perceived solely as effective whilst others had varying effectiveness. Logistical and environmental issues and threat appraisals were associated the most with negative impact on performance, whereas challenge appraisal were often associated with positive performance impact. There was a high prevalence of negative well-being impact which was often due to conflicting priorities and associated perceived negative performance impact.

Conclusion

This is the first study to examine the full transactional pathway in University athletes; illustrating the complex and individualized nature of stress transactions. As there was a concerning negative impact of organizational stress on well-being, athletes should be educated on the importance of appraisals and coping and organizations should be aware of any logistical changes they can make to ensure that athletes have an environment where they can thrive.

Background 

The prevalence of colour blindness in elite football (fans and players) has not been done before in this scale. This project provided a development pathway between the grassroots and elite levels of football and provided an opportunity to understand colour blindness within football and its consequences, it identified barriers and how these can be overcome, it identified the benefits in providing proper support and potential resolutions for issues surrounding supporters who have a CVD.

Objectives 

Throughout the TACBIS project, these objectives have been carried out. •Understanding the prevalence of CVD within the football industry and consequently how many colour-blind players had difficulties with throughout the game. •Identifying barriers to progression for colour-blind people. •Getting a better understanding of the consequences on colour blind players and their lack of progression due to their CVD •Was to identify the benefits for teams in providing proper support for players with CVD

Implementation 

The research expanded from OBU reinforced the science behind the anecdotal responses of coaches and (elite) players via questionnaires. The project further organised multiple in person and online MSEs, in two inter-connected parts and broadcasted via Youtube, a Webinar (Q&A) designed as an online Q&A for press. 6 international meetings and monthly online meetings were held with the partners to share best practices and develop a manual/toolkit for football clubs and other sports organisations.

Results 

The Intellectual Outcomes created for football were original and the first of their kind and provide wide-ranging guidance on how best to support colour blind people in all aspects of football and other sports, not just in training and matches for players but also for spectators, for management and coaching staff, for employers and for those responsible for media/marketing/branding. The project has developed guidance documents and engaged in various dissemination activities.