Scientific Journal of Sport and Performance

Physical activity participation of university students in the United Kingdom

2024-03-04T09:45:00+01:00

Every year more than 2.38 million students attend university in the United Kingdom. However, there is limited research up to this date addressing current physical activity participation of the university students in the United Kingdom. This study explored the current physical activity habits among students studying at university level in the United Kingdom. An online survey was administered and completed by 466 students from over 52 faculties. Participants answered questions on demographic variables such as gender, age, socioeconomic status of family, location of studies, types of studies, year of studies, living arrangements and monthly expenditure. They were provided the English version of the IPAQ-Short form and asked to fill out the questionnaire with their physical activity habits during a typical week of university study. Results identified 64.4% of the sample were “moderate” active, with 14.2% “high” and 18.5% “low” active as categorized by the IPAQ-Short form scoring. Disparities in physical activity participation were present on demographic variables such as gender, year of study and family socioeconomic level upon analysis by ANOVA. To conclude, a discussion of the results within the overall field of physical activity participation in higher education was positioned and critiqued.

Effects of a portable, cable-based concentric-only resistance machine on muscular strength in untrained young adults

2024-03-01T08:07:00+01:00

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of concentric-only resistance training in comparison to traditional concentric-eccentric resistance training on upper and lower body strength using a portable cable-based concentric-only resistance machine. Thirty-two participants (10 females, 22 males; mean age of 23.4 ± 2.0) with minimal resistance training experience exercised thrice weekly to complete a 12-week training program. Participants were blinded and randomly allocated 1:1 to an intervention group (n = 16, wherein the resistance training used the concentric-only machine (CRT)) or a control group (n = 16, wherein the resistance training was completed using traditional concentric-eccentric with a conventional cable-based machine (CON)). While both groups improved in 1-RM chest press and squat press performance, there was no significant difference between groups. These findings suggest that the use of a portable CRT machine may confer similar strength benefits in comparison to traditional concentric-eccentric training. It is possible that the lack of the eccentric component with the CRT machine enables for a higher training volume to be completed, which consequently results in strength benefits.

Mechanical differences between three block jump approaches in NCAA DII college volleyball players

2024-03-04T09:45:32+01:00

The purpose of the study was to examine the kinematics and kinetics differences between three common block approaches used in volleyball games: (1) shuffle block, (2) chicken wing block, and (3) swing block, from a fixed distance of 1.8 m. Ten female collegiate volleyball players from NCAA DII participated in the study. They performed, in a randomized order, a total of 18 blocks equally distributed among the three block types. Noraxon MyoResearch 3 software was used to analyze the block approaches. The statistical analysis was performed by running a Repeated Measurement ANOVA on Jamovi statistical software 2.3.24. The results showed that there was a significant main effect for time to take off, jump height, max knee flexion angles, peak power, relative peak power, net impulse, reactive strength index, max rate of force development, peak force, and relative peak force between the three types of blocks (p < .05). While max valgus knee angles and max flexion hip angles did not show any effect (p > .5). To cover a distance of 1.8m, it was clear that shuffle block was the weakest option for good block performances, while chicken wing and swing blocks were similar in many aspects. Both chicken wing and swing blocks can be used to elevate the block effectiveness of volleyball players compared to shuffle block.

Anthropometry and athletic performance with Zybek sports in elite American taekwondo athletes

2024-03-14T08:33:54+01:00

Introduction: The relationship between anthropometric characteristics and athletic performance in taekwondo athletes is a topic of growing interest in the field of sports science and physical preparation. Objective: To determine the relationship between athletic performance in Zybek Sport tests and anthropometry in elite American taekwondo athletes. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive, and correlational quasi-experimental cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of (n = 470) taekwondo athletes. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, and BMI. Athletic performance was assessed using Zybek Sports Performance Standardized Athletic Testing (SAT®). Results: Negative and statistically significant relationships were identified between the 10 and 20-yard sprints and height (p < .000) and (p < .000), weight (p < .000) and (p < .000), and BMI (p < .016) and (p < .000). The pro Agility test only showed a significant negative relationship with weight (p < .000) and height (p < .000). As for the 40-yard dash, horizontal jump, and vertical jump, which showed positive and significant relationships, it was identified that performance in these tests is influenced by greater height (p < .000), (p < .000), (p < .000), weight (p < .000), (p < .000), (p < .000), and BMI (p < .000), (p < .003) respectively. Except for the vertical jump, which did not show a significant correlation with BMI (p < .542). Conclusion: In conclusion, despite the heterogeneity of the relationships, lower weight, height, and BMI were found to improve performance in the 10 and 20-yard sprints as well as in the pro agility test. In the case of the 40-yard dash, horizontal jump, and vertical jump, greater weight, height, and BMI were related to better performance in these tests, with the exception of the vertical jump, which did not show a significant correlation with BMI.

Effects of physical activity on levels of anxiety, depression, and stress during the social isolation caused by COVID-19

2024-03-12T10:24:08+01:00

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a new strain within the coronavirus family, which manifests itself in a varied and aggressive manner. The scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic has favored episodes of stress generated by prolonged isolation. Adherence to the practice of physical activity promotes beneficial effects on mental disorders, proving effective in this critical moment. The study's objective was to verify the effects of physical activity on levels of anxiety, stress, and depression during the period of social isolation. It is a cross-sectional study that identified the symptomatology of anxiety, stress, and depression, using the DASS-21. A total of 551 participants responded to the questionnaire online. The results showed that participants who did not engage in exercise before COVID-19 (n = 182) had higher levels of depression (p = .005), while those who engaged in physical activity (n = 323) showed lower indicators of anxiety (p = .010), stress (p = .021), and depression (p = .001). The study revealed that the frequent and continued practice of physical activity minimizes symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression caused by the prolonged period of social isolation, favoring mental health benefits.

User perception and acceptance of softshell headgear amongst youth rugby players

2024-03-12T10:24:01+01:00

This study investigated the attitudes, preferences, motivations and acceptance of softshell headgear among youth rugby players. Female and male rugby players (ages 13-17) were surveyed regarding headgear use during training and matches, discontinuation reasons, preferred brands, motivations for use, and reasons for non-use. We assessed confidence without headgear, head injuries, familiarity with specifications, and awareness of benefits/risks. Most (86%) didn't wear headgear during training; 74.4% abstained in matches. Reasons for discontinuation included discomfort and perceived ineffectiveness. Parental advice (78%) and injury protection (52%) drove headgear use. Non-use reasons: lack of ventilation (67%), bulkiness (50%), discomfort (44%), non-compulsory use (36%), and lack of consideration (36%). 44.2% believed headgear protects against head injuries; 30.2% were unsure. The results of this study indicate a range of attitudes among youth rugby players towards the use of headgear. Understanding their motivations and concerns is crucial for improving player safety. While some players see headgear as a valuable protective measure, others are deterred by factors such as discomfort and lack of ventilation. There is a need for greater awareness and education about headgear benefits and risks among rugby players, potential modifications to headgear design to enhance comfort and ventilation should be explored and further research conducted to explore the benefits that headgear has for head impact protection.

Ergogenic effects of the combination of caffeine and New Zealand blackcurrant supplements on time trial

2024-01-04T10:18:29+01:00

The use of single supplements to enhance performance is widespread among athletes. The aim of this study was to increase knowledge about the combined effects of caffeine and New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) dietary supplements. In this counterbalanced alternating treatment single-case design, two participants each underwent four phases of four sessions in a double-blind, randomized order. After a 3-week pre-test phase, the supplement combinations of placebo/placebo, caffeine/placebo (5 mg/kg), NZBC/placebo (600 mg), and caffeine/NZBC (5 mg/kg + 600 mg) were taken and weekly performance tests were conducted to examine their effects on relative power (W/kg) during a 20-minute time trial on a bicycle. Data were analyzed descriptively and using the Tau-U calculator from Single Case Research. The ergogenic effect of caffeine was confirmed in both participants, with increases of 3.3% and 6.5%, while the positive effect of NZBC on performance was only seen in one participant (13.4%). The combination of caffeine and NZBC again increased performance in both participants (2.2% and 19.2%), but the data only showed a near additive effect of the supplements in one participant. The participants did not show a consistent performance improvement with the combined intake of the supplements caffeine and NZBC. Further studies are required to confirm or refute this evidence of the synergistic effects of these supplements.

Resistance training status detection via local muscular endurance adaptation maximum repetition strategy

2024-03-01T08:07:03+01:00

Aim: The strength-endurance maximum repetition strategy is local muscular endurance development via unprompted fatigue to voluntary contraction adaptation. Brief review aimed to maximum repetition developing on exercise selection and maximal repetition strategy of resistance training constant set workload. Multiple set and endurance maximum repetition strategy must be planned according to purposing resistance training science. Methods: The local muscular endurance periodic session and periodization detected to strength-endurance maximum repetition strategy including loading change and constant repetition set set-ups respectively, 102.3%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40% and 30%1RM. The population of resistance training formed on local muscular endurance adaptation to date below of 2023 yr. to trained or untrained resistance individuals obtained from PubMed and Web of Science databases, specifically in S&C Journal investigation. Results: Primarily analysis of LME strategy used to absolute endurance and relative endurance performance uncommon without this critical literature search. Again, strength-endurance loading resistance session have been performed to develop absolute endurance provided high load low repetition strategy commonly used to performance detection and relative endurance detected low load high repetition strategy detected to neurofatigue detection using strength-endurance maximum repetition periodization in researches. Conclusion: Resistance training population may be detecting time-dependent strength and endurance maximum repetition periodic periodization session local muscular endurance adaptation to develop neuromuscular adaptation and strength gain. In conclusion, actual exercise and resistance training can be dependent to LME strategy.

Nonlinearity analysis of sit-to-stand and its application

2024-03-03T11:43:53+01:00

The examination of human biomechanics, particularly the sit-to-stand transition, has been a focal point of research for numerous years, utilizing mathematical models of the musculoskeletal structure and motion analysis. However, researchers and scientists have encountered substantial challenges attributable to the distributed, nonlinear, and time-varying nature of this phenomenon, characterized by numerous degrees of freedom and redundancy at various levels. Conventional biomechanical assessments of human movement typically rely on linear mathematical approaches, which, while advantageous in various scenarios, often inadequately capture the predominantly nonlinear characteristics inherent in human systems. As a consequence, there has been a growing recognition of the limitations of linear methods, leading to an increased adoption of nonlinear analytical techniques rooted in a dynamical systems approach in contemporary research. Notwithstanding this trend, there exists a conspicuous dearth of a comprehensive review paper that meticulously scrutinizes these nonlinear methods and their applications across the spectrum from modelling to rehabilitation. This mini-review aims to address this gap by highlighting recent advancements in nonlinear methodologies. These methodologies have demonstrated the potential to enhance the efficacy of interventions for individuals with sit-to-stand disorders, encompassing the design of intelligent rehabilitation devices, mitigating fall risks, and facilitating early patient classification.

Home advantage and the influence of officiating decisions

2024-03-03T11:43:50+01:00

Even after decades of research, it is largely unclear how the various factors that cause the home advantage act and interact with one another. This paper provides an updated narrative review of the home advantage in sports, with a particular interest in the impact of refereeing. We used multiple sources for data collection and limited our search to peer-reviewed journals. Detailed information was extracted and documented from each of the retrieved articles. Bibliometric data were also calculated and assessed to evaluate the evolution of research in this field. The findings of this review show that home advantage is elevated in certain type of sports and due to properties of the crowd. In particular, the social pressure of the home crowds has direct and indirect effects on both home advantage and referee bias. Studies on games played in empty stadiums provided significant evidence for a reduced referee bias, and a decline in athlete-related variables. Several potential directions for future research emerged from this review. More research on the home advantage in women's sports, in individual sports, and at lower levels of play is warranted. These efforts will contribute to further extend our understanding of this fascinating phenomenon.

Easy interval method, an alternative approach to improve anaerobic threshold speed

2024-03-03T11:54:49+01:00

This paper presents the specific training method in distance running developed by the Dutch running coach Herman Verheul and successfully applied in the 1970s, its historical background, its afterlife, and its possible applications. The Verheul method can be traced back to the Stampfl interval method used in the 1960s. It involves the use of shorter (200 and 400 meters) and longer (1000 and later 2000 meters) interval training sessions on a daily basis. The method is characterised by a low intensity of partial distances compared to traditional interval training and a relatively long active recovery period equal to the interval distance. For these reasons, the workouts remain predominantly aerobic, without significant lactic acid accumulation, allowing interval training to be used daily and avoiding over-exertion. The method allows runners to achieve high weekly volumes at high running speeds, crucial for establishing anaerobic threshold speed (vLT2) and economical running movement (RE), essential for successful distance running performance. The easy interval method offers an alternative means of improving anaerobic threshold speed. It may provide a new tool to the recently used sustained tempo runs and the anaerobic threshold intervals that are prevalent today.

Approaches on physiological changes in the performance of elite female basketball players

2024-03-04T09:45:03+01:00

The international level of elite women's basketball is in great contrast with the Albanian reality regarding the sports performance of the players. The purpose of this literature review is to focus on physiological changes in sports performance during a season in elite female basketball players. Methods: This literature review used a structured methodology to examine the impact of different training loads on the physiological responses of elite female basketball players over 20 years of age during a season. To collect the data for our study, 4 bibliographic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Pro Quest) were used using the Jab Ref program. According to a hybrid of sports scientific methods, we found 60 scientific articles that matched our requirements, integrating anthropometric analysis, body composition, strength tests and speed tests. Conclusions; At the end of this literature review, a more in-depth understanding of the complex effects of training loads on physiological responses and sports performance in female basketball players during competitive sports seasons has been formed. It is for you emphasized the lack of studies on elite women's basketball in Albania in performance evaluation.