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Evaluation of Shoulder and Knee Isokinetic Strength Profile Among Elite Adolescent Badminton Players

Zulfikri N, Selvanayagam VS, Yusof A

J Sport Rehabil, 2021 Jan 19;30(5):717-724.
PMID: 33465761 DOI: 10.1123/jsr.2019-0483

CONTEXT: Badminton continues to be a highly competitive sport where training is introduced at an early age and load has intensiﬁed. This exposes players to a greater risk of injuries, in particular when assessing related training outcomes such as strength, agonist-antagonist ratio, and bilateral deﬁcit among adolescents where age- and sex-associated growth and development should be considered.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate strength proﬁle of the upper and lower limbs among adolescent elite Malaysian badminton players.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
SETTING: Laboratory.
PARTICIPANTS: Forty-eight asymptomatic athletes (24 males and 24 females) were grouped into early and late adolescence (13-14 y old and 15-17 y old, respectively).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Strength (absolute and normalized) of the external/internal rotators of the shoulder and ﬂexor/extensor of the knee and strength derivatives, conventional strength ratio (CSR), dynamic control ratio (DCR), and bilateral deﬁcits were measured.
RESULTS: Males showed greater strength in all strength indices (P < .05). The older group had greater strength compared to younger for most of the upper and lower limb indices (P < .05); these effects diminished when using normalized data. For females, there was no age group effect in the shoulder and knee strength. All players displayed lower shoulder and knee normative values for CSR and DCR. Dominant and non-dominant knee strength were comparable between sex and age groups.
CONCLUSIONS: For males, growth and maturation had a greater contribution to strength gained compared to training, whereas for females, growth, maturation, and training did not improve strength. The normalized data indicated that training did not improve all indices measured apart from external rotator strength in females. All players also displayed lower normative values of CSR and DCR. These results suggest that training in elite adolescent Malaysian badminton players lacks consideration of strength gain and injury risk factors.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
An overview of sports engineering: history, impact and research

Zahari Taha, Mohd Hasnun Arif Hassan, Anwar P.P. Abdul Majeed, Mohd Azri Aris, Nina Nadia Sahim

Movement Health & Exercise, 2013;2(1):1-14.
MyJurnal

Sports engineering can be considered as a new engineering discipline. It bridges the gap between two distinctive fields: sport science and engineering. Sports engineers are responsible in designing and building new equipment based on athlete's demands, besides measuring the performance of the athlete, the equipment itself, as well as their interaction. It is without doubt that engineering and technology have played an important role not only in improving the performance of an athlete, but also in making sports more entertaining and safe. This article provides an insight into how engineering and technology have affected sports in many ways transforming it from just a past time to more exciting and competitive world events. Apart from the impact of engineering in sports, the history of the application of engineering and technology in sports is also elaborated. Furthermore, research conducted in related fields worldwide is highlighted. A brief overview of sports engineering research in Malaysia is also presented.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Fulltext The effects of plyometric training on speed, agility and power components among under-16 athletes

Yusop Ahmad, Nur Fifie Shakilla Diekin

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2020;9(2):63-69.
MyJurnal

This study was conducted to determine the effects of plyometric training on power, speed and agility on under 16 athletes. Thirty-two males from various background of sports were randomly selected as subjects. Subjects were divided into two groups which are intervention (N=16) and control (N=16). Subjects performed training for five weeks. Test batteries used includes 30-m sprint, 30 feet shuttle run and vertical jump to look at the effects of plyometric training given. Data that were obtained was analysed using T-test. Analysis showed that treatment group manage to improve performance in all the three tests while no significant differences between pre and post-test among control group for all the three tests. Based on the result, plyometric training that were given could improve power, speed and agility.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Differences in right hemisphere fNIRS activation associated with executive network during performance of the lateralized attention network tast by elite, expert and novice ice hockey athletes

Yu M, Xu S, Hu H, Li S, Yang G

Behav Brain Res, 2023 Apr 12;443:114209.
PMID: 36368444 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114209

OBJECTIVE: We investigated brain activity associated with executive control attention network in elite, expert, and novice female ice hockey athletes during the revised lateralized attention network tast to determine whether the neural correlates of performance differ by skill level.
METHODS: We collected and analyzed functional near-infrared spectroscopy data of 38 participants while performing the revised lateralized attention network tast.
RESULTS: Elite players were significantly faster than novices (p = .005), and the experts' overall accuracy rate (ACC) was higher than that of novices (p = .001). The effect of the executive network on reaction time was higher in novices than in elite players (p = .008) and experts (p = .004). The effect of the executive network on the ACC was lower in elite players than in experts (p = .009) and novices (p = .010). Finally, elite player had higher flanker conflict effects on RT (p = .005) under the invalid cue condition. the effect of the alertness network and orientation on the ACC was lower in elite players than in novices (p = .000) and experts (p = .022). Changes in the blood oxygen level-dependent signal related to the flanker effect were significantly different in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F=3.980, p = .028) and right inferior frontal gyrus (F=3.703, p = .035) among the three groups. Elit players showed more efficient executive control (reduced conflict effect on ACC) (p = .006)in the RH.The changes related to the effect of blood oxygen level on orienting were significantly different in the right frontal eye fields (F=3.883, p = .030) among the three groups, Accompanied by significant activation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(p = .026).
CONCLUSION: Our findings provide partial evidence of the superior cognitive performance and high neural efficiency of elite ice hockey players during cognitive tasks. These results demonstrate the right hemisphere superiority for executive control.We also found that specific brain activation in hockey players does not show a clear and linear relationship with skill level.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Fulltext Number of familiarisation sessions required for an Isokinetic Knee Strenght Assesment in Female varsity athletes

Yin, Jerusha Chan Poe, Ashril Yusof, Victor Selvarajah Selvanayagam

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2016;5(2):1-8.
MyJurnal

Journal of Sports Science and Physical Education 5(2): 1-8, 2016 - The objective of this
study was to determine the number of familiarisation sessions required for isokinetic knee
extension and flexion in female varsity athletes. Thirty right footed dominance female varsity
athletes (n=30; age: 21.73 ±0.22 years, body mass index (BMI): 22.58 ±0.52 kg/m2), with no
history of knee injuries were recruited. The design started with either with the dominant or
non-dominant limb, followed by the opposite limb. Four sets of isokinetic maximal voluntary
contraction at 60 o/s were performed for each limb. The results showed that for knee
extension regardless of which limb starts first is 2 sessions, however for knee flexion, 3
sessions is required for dominant limb while 2 for non-dominant. In addition, the presence of
cross-education effect is observed for knee flexion from non-dominant to dominant limb,
where the number of session was reduced from three to two. In conclusion, we propose that
two sessions of familiarisation are required for female varsity athletes and should begin with the non-dominant limb followed by dominant limb.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Fulltext Relationship between Mindfulness, Psychological Skills, and Mental Toughness in College Athletes

Wu CH, Nien JT, Lin CY, Nien YH, Kuan G, Wu TY, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 06 24;18(13).
PMID: 34202770 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136802

Numerous studies have shown that dispositional mindfulness is positively associated with many mental abilities related to sports performance, including psychological skills and mental toughness. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between dispositional mindfulness, psychological skills, and mental toughness among different types of athletes. For this cross-sectional study, 101 college athletes were recruited. Their dispositional mindfulness, psychological skills, and mental toughness were measured by the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Athletic Psychological Skills Inventory (APSI), and Traits of Mental Toughness Inventory for Sports Scale (TMTIS). Pearson's correlation was used to calculate how dispositional mindfulness is associated with psychological skills and mental toughness. The results revealed that dispositional mindfulness is positively associated with comprehensive APSI (r = 0.21-0.36, p < 0.05), TMTIS overall (r = 0.27, p < 0.01), positive effort (r = 0.26, p = 0.01), and pressure (r = 0.30, p < 0.01). These findings suggest a positive linkage between mindfulness and the two examined psychological characteristics related to sports performance. Other approaches to increase mindfulness may be considered in the future.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Fulltext Predicting basal metabolic rates in Malaysian adult elite athletes

Wong JE, Poh BK, Nik Shanita S, Izham MM, Chan KQ, Tai MD, et al.

Singapore Med J, 2012 Nov;53(11):744-9.
PMID: 23192502

This study aimed to measure the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of elite athletes and develop a gender specific predictive equation to estimate their energy requirements.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes*
Fulltext Heat acclimation attenuates the increased sensations of fatigue reported during acute exercise-heat stress

Willmott AGB, Hayes M, James CA, Gibson OR, Maxwell NS

Temperature (Austin), 2019 Sep 19;7(2):178-190.
PMID: 33015245 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2019.1664370

Athletes exercising in heat stress experience increased perceived fatigue acutely, however it is unknown whether heat acclimation (HA) reduces the magnitude of this perceptual response and whether different HA protocols influence the response. This study investigated sensations of fatigue following; acute exercise-heat stress; short- (5-sessions) and medium-term (10-sessions) HA; and between once- (ODHA) and twice-daily HA (TDHA) protocols. Twenty male participants (peak oxygen uptake: 3.75 ± 0.47 L·min-1) completed 10 sessions (60-min cycling at ~2 W·kg-1, 45°C/20% relative humidity) of ODHA (n = 10) or non-consecutive TDHA (n = 10). Sensations of fatigue (General, Physical, Emotional, Mental, Vigor and Total Fatigue) were assessed using the multi-dimensional fatigue scale inventory-short form pre and post session 1, 5 and 10. Heat adaptation was induced following ODHA and TDHA, with reductions in resting rectal temperature and heart rate, and increased plasma volume and sweat rate (P

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Short-term heat acclimation prior to a multi-day desert ultra-marathon improves physiological and psychological responses without compromising immune status

Willmott AGB, Hayes M, Waldock KAM, Relf RL, Watkins ER, James CA, et al.

J Sports Sci, 2017 Nov;35(22):2249-2256.
PMID: 27935427 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2016.1265142

Multistage, ultra-endurance events in hot, humid conditions necessitate thermal adaptation, often achieved through short term heat acclimation (STHA), to improve performance by reducing thermoregulatory strain and perceptions of heat stress. This study investigated the physiological, perceptual and immunological responses to STHA prior to the Marathon des Sables. Eight athletes (age 42 ± 4 years and body mass 81.9 ± 15.0 kg) completed 4 days of controlled hyperthermia STHA (60 min·day‒1, 45°C and 30% relative humidity). Pre, during and post sessions, physiological and perceptual measures were recorded. Immunological measures were recorded pre-post sessions 1 and 4. STHA improved thermal comfort (P = 0.02), sensation (P = 0.03) and perceived exertion (P = 0.04). A dissociated relationship between perceptual fatigue and Tre was evident after STHA, with reductions in perceived Physical (P = 0.04) and General (P = 0.04) fatigue. Exercising Tre and HR did not change (P > 0.05) however, sweat rate increased 14% (P = 0.02). No changes were found in white blood cell counts or content (P > 0.05). Four days of STHA facilitates effective perceptual adaptations, without compromising immune status prior to an ultra-endurance race in heat stress. A greater physiological strain is required to confer optimal physiological adaptations.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Fulltext Training During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices of 12,526 Athletes from 142 Countries and Six Continents

Washif JA, Farooq A, Krug I, Pyne DB, Verhagen E, Taylor L, et al.

Sports Med, 2022 04;52(4):933-948.
PMID: 34687439 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01573-z

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to explore the training-related knowledge, beliefs, and practices of athletes and the influence of lockdowns in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
METHODS: Athletes (n = 12,526, comprising 13% world class, 21% international, 36% national, 24% state, and 6% recreational) completed an online survey that was available from 17 May to 5 July 2020 and explored their training behaviors (training knowledge, beliefs/attitudes, and practices), including specific questions on their training intensity, frequency, and session duration before and during lockdown (March-June 2020).
RESULTS: Overall, 85% of athletes wanted to "maintain training," and 79% disagreed with the statement that it is "okay to not train during lockdown," with a greater prevalence for both in higher-level athletes. In total, 60% of athletes considered "coaching by correspondence (remote coaching)" to be sufficient (highest amongst world-class athletes). During lockdown,

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes/psychology
Fulltext Regression Analysis of Perceived Stress among Elite Athletes from Changes in Diet, Routine and Well-Being: Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown and "Bubble" Training Camps

Washif JA, Ammar A, Trabelsi K, Chamari K, Chong CSM, Mohd Kassim SFA, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 12 30;19(1).
PMID: 35010662 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010402

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lifestyles and training of elite athletes around the world. The detrimental effects of lockdown periods may vary among individuals, as well as among sports and sexes. This study investigated the changes in dietary habits, and the predictors of perceived stress during lockdown and a "bubble" training camp. This cross-sectional, online survey involved 76 elite and world-class athletes from six able-bodied sports and nine parasports, all of whom were involved in a 30-day "bubble" training camp. Questions were asked on socio-demographics, training routines and wellbeing, perceived stress, and dietary habits, pertaining to "normal" training (prelockdown), lockdown training, and "bubble" camp training periods. Changes in perceived stress were trivial to small during lockdown compared to "normal" training, and trivial to moderate during a "bubble" camp, compared to lockdown. Para-athletes, males, older athletes, less experienced athletes, married individuals, and specific ethnicities appeared to be more detrimentally affected (increased perceived stress) by lockdown. These negative experiences, however, were largely reversed during "bubble" camps. During lockdown, more athletes reported increased evening snack consumption (+8%), later meal-times (+6%), decreased fluid intake (-6%), and no breakfast (+7%). These changes were reversed during "bubble" camps (12-18% improvements). Sport classification accounted for 16% of the increased perceived stress (p = 0.001) during lockdown. Overall, socio-demographic factors, improvements in training routines, well-being, and dietary habits explained 28% of the decreased perceived stress during a "bubble" camp. In conclusion, better dietary habits, training routines and well-being have implications for reduced perceived stress. During lockdown, "bubble" camps may be beneficial, but this observation may be a case-by-case consideration, and short split "bubble" periods are recommended.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Fulltext The Reactive Bounding Coefficient as a Measure of Horizontal Reactive Strength to Evaluate Stretch-Shortening Cycle Performance in Sprinters

Washif JA, Kok LY

J Hum Kinet, 2020 Jul;73:45-55.
PMID: 32774536 DOI: 10.2478/hukin-2020-0003

Plyometric exercises such as drop jumping and bounding offer athletes a substantiated means of enhancing athletic performance. Between the two exercises, reactive measurement using bounding (reactive bounding coefficient [RBC]) has received scant attention within the domain of training and conditioning. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the viability of utilising a speed-bounding exercise to assess horizontal reactive strength. Eleven young, male elite sprinters (age: 17.8 ± 1.3 yr; body height: 1.72 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 66.05 ± 6.10 kg; best 100 m sprint time: 10.77 ± 0.32 s) were tested for static jumps (SJ), drop jumps (DJ), 10 speed-bounding (RBC10), and 50 m sprint performance. Between-group comparisons based on sprint ability (fast [FSG] vs. slow [SSG] sprint-group) and correlation coefficients were computed subsequently. The FSG (n = 5; 50 m time: 5.82 ± 0.11 s; RBC10: 7.46 ± 0.27) performed significantly better in the RBC10 (p = 0.036) than the SSG (n = 5; 50 m time: 6.09 ± 0.13 s; RBC10: 7.09 ± 0.25). A very high correlation was attained between the RBC10 and the criterion measure, the SJ (r = 0.83). Additionally, RBC10 appeared to be correlated with 30, 50, 10-30 and 30-50 m sprint times (r = -0.52 to -0.60). This positive trend, however, was not observed for the DJ reactive strength index (trivial to moderate correlations). Good reliability was shown for the RBC10 and all sprint distances ("1.5% coefficient variation). Furthermore, all sprinters attained ground contact times of 0.12-0.18 s during the RBC10 which was indicative of fast stretch-shortening cycles during movement, suggesting that the RBC10 could be utilised to assess plyometric ability and enhance sprint performance. Overall, the RBC10 seems able to discriminate between the FSG and the SSG, indicating it has acceptable levels of validity and reliability.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Fulltext Effects of high-intensity functional training on physical fitness and sport-specific performance among the athletes: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Wang X, Soh KG, Samsudin S, Deng N, Liu X, Zhao Y, et al.

PLoS One, 2023;18(12):e0295531.
PMID: 38064433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295531

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to meta-analyze the impact of high-intensity functional training on athletes' physical fitness and sport-specific performance.
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in five well-known academic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and the Cochrane Library) up to July 1, 2023. The literature screening criteria included: (1) studies involving healthy athletes, (2) a HIFT program, (3) an assessment of outcomes related to athletes' physical fitness or sport-specific performance, and (4) the inclusion of randomized controlled trials. The Physical Therapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to evaluate the quality of studies included in the meta-analysis.
RESULTS: 13 medium- and high-quality studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, involving 478 athletes aged between 10 and 24.5 years. The training showed a small to large effect size (ES = 0.414-3.351; all p < 0.05) in improving upper and lower body muscle strength, power, flexibility, and sport-specific performance.
CONCLUSION: High-intensity functional training effectively improves athletes' muscle strength, power, flexibility, and sport-specific performance but has no significant impact on endurance and agility. Future research is needed to explore the impact of high-intensity functional training on athletes' speed, balance, and technical and tactical performance parameters.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Fulltext Body mass index and body fat status of men involved in sports, exercise, and sedentary activites

Wan Nudri WD, Wan Abdul Manan WM, Mohamed Rusli A

Malays J Med Sci, 2009 Apr;16(2):21-6.
PMID: 22589654 MyJurnal

A cross-sectional study was carried out in Kota Bharu on three groups of men with ages ranging from 18 to 44 years. The study groups included 83 athletes representing various types of sports and levels of participation (athlete group), 80 active men who exercised a minimum of 30 minutes per day at least 3 times per week (exercise group), and 80 inactive men (sedentary group). The objectives of the study were to compare the body mass indices (BMIs) and body fat statuses among the three groups with different physical activity levels. The height and weight of respondents were measured using the Seca weighing balance with height attachment. Skinfold thickness of biceps, triceps, subscapular regions, and suprailiac regions of each respondent were measured using Harpenden skinfold calipers. Percentage body fat was calculated as the sum of the four measurements of skinfold thickness. The results showed that the mean (± SD) BMIs in the athlete, exercise, and sedentary groups were 22.6 ± 2.9, 23.4 ± 3.5, and 24.3 ± 4.6 kg/m(2), respectively. The combined prevalence of pre-obese (BMI 25.029.9) and obese (BMI ³ 30.0) subjects was 21.7% in the athlete group, 29.9% in the exercise group, and 47.5% in the sedentary group. The mean (± SD) percentage of body fat in athletes was 15.7 ± 5.4%, which was lower than in the exercise (18.9 ± 5.5%) and sedentary (20.6 ± 5.8%) groups. The study revealed that individuals who are actively involved in physical activity, particularly in sport activities, have lower BMIs and percentage body fat values compared to sedentary people. Therefore, to prevent obesity, all individuals are encouraged to perform regular physical activity, particularly sports activities.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Evaluation of postural control impairment using Balance Error Scoring System among athletes with ankle injury: an effective tool in daily clinical practice

Vikram M, Sundaraganesh K, Justine M, Kurup M, Leonard JH

Clin Ter, 2012;163(5):383-6.
PMID: 23099965

The main objective of the study was to investigate postural control impairment in athletes with history of ankle injury by using Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and to compare with the controls.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Multimodal physiotherapeutic management for stage-IV osteitis pubis in a 15-year old soccer athlete: a case report

Vijayakumar P, Nagarajan M, Ramli A

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 2012;25(4):225-30.
PMID: 23220803 DOI: 10.3233/BMR-2012-0337

Osteitis pubis among soccer athletes is a disabling painful condition and it is difficult to manage without integrating a multimodal treatment approach. There is limited scientific evidence on the effectiveness of exercise in treating Osteitis pubis especially when it progress to a chronic painful condition. The purpose of this case report is to discuss the successful multimodal physiotherapeutic management for a 15-year old soccer athlete diagnosed with stage-IV Osteitis pubis. Land and water based active core muscle strengthening exercises, Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques (PNF) and Manual Therapy are some of the essential components incorporated in multimodal intervention approach with emphasis to water based strength and endurance training exercises. The athlete was able to make progress to a successful recovery from his chronic painful condition and accomplished the clearly established clinical outcomes during each phase of rehabilitation.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes*
Ramadan intermittent fasting and its association with health-related indices and exercise test performance in athletes and physically active individuals: an overview of systematic reviews

Trabelsi K, Ammar A, Boukhris O, Boujelbane MA, Clark C, Romdhani M, et al.

Br J Sports Med, 2024 Feb 07;58(3):136-143.
PMID: 37923379 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-106826

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review, summarise and appraise findings of published systematic reviews, with/without meta-analyses, examining associations between Ramadan fasting observance (RO), health-related indices and exercise test performances in athletes and physically active individuals.
DESIGN: Overview of systematic reviews with assessment of reviews' methodological quality.
DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, SPORTDiscus, ProQuest, PsycINFO and SciELO.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Systematic reviews with/without meta-analyses examining associations of RO with health-related indices and exercise performances in athletes and physically active individuals.
RESULTS: Fourteen systematic reviews (seven with meta-analyses) of observational studies, with low-to-critically-low methodological quality, were included. Two reviews found associations between RO and decreased sleep duration in athletes and physically active individuals. One review suggested athletes may experience more pronounced reductions in sleep duration than physically active individuals. One review found associations between RO and impaired sleep quality in athletes and physically active individuals. RO was associated with decreased energy, carbohydrate and water intake in adult-aged athletes, but not adolescents. One review suggests RO was associated with athletes' increased feelings of fatigue and decreased vigour. No association was found between RO and athletes' lean mass or haematological indices. RO was unfavourably associated with changes in athletes' performance during high-intensity exercise testing.
CONCLUSION: Continuance of training during RO could be associated with athletes' mood state disturbances, decreased sleep duration and performance decline during high-intensity exercise testing, while preserving lean mass. However, careful interpretation is necessary due to the low-to-critically-low methodological quality of the included reviews.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Fulltext BMI, BP, visual acuity and hearing status of Special Olympics athletes in Sarawak

Toh, Teck Hock, Nurhilda Abdullah, Chua, Soh Yian, Muhamad Rais Abdullah, Islia Nahazatul, Chieng, Lee Ling

Int J Public Health Res, 2011;1(2):66-71.
MyJurnal

Introduction Special Olympics (SO) Inc. is an organization for people with intellectual disability (ID) to actively engaging in Olympic-type sport and participating in competition. Special Olympic Inc. provides Healthy Athletes Programme (HAP®) in screening and providing health education to Special Olympic Athletes. Objective To study the body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), visual acuity and hearing status of children and young adult with ID in Special Olympics Sarawak. Methods Health data were collected by trained health professionals under HAP®held in conjunction with Special Olympics Sarawak State Games on 17th and 18th April 2010 in Sibu. Health data collected were athletes' weight, BMI, BP, ear canal screen and hearing status (oto-acoustic emission, pure tone audiometry), as well as eye health and visual acuity, using guidelines set by HAP®. Results 195 athletes attended the State Games in 2010 of which 138 were screened. Significant number of athletes was considered overweight / obese (31.5% for children and 36.9% for adult). More than 20% of the adult athletes were hypertensive or at risk of hypertension. Sixteen percent of the adult athletes had hearing loss. More than half of the adult and children athletes never had eye checks, and a significant numbers of them had abnormal eye tests results. Conclusions Health screening conducted during the HAP® is a useful screening program in this population. Health data collected can bring awareness to athletes and their family, and corrective measures in hearing and visual impairment can be taken immediately.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Fulltext The effects of specific and general cognitive imagery on service achievent among tekong in sepaktakraw [Kesan latihan imageri kognitif spesifik dan kognitif umum terhadap pencapaian servis mula tekong sepak takraw]

Thariq Khan Azizuddin Khan, Mandra Janep, Syaiful Hamzah

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2013;2(1):29-47.
MyJurnal

This research aims to evaluate the effects of different cognitive training using imagery, general cognitive (CG) and specific cognitive (CS) (Paivio, 1985) to the achievement of service by the tekong in sepak takraw. The effects of imagery training with physical training towards achievement, imagery ability and exercise heart rate were also collected. The subjects consisted of 24 elite players sepak takraw (tekong) school level player that involved in Tunas Cemerlang program, aged 13 to 17 years old (M = 14.66, SD = 1.40). The subjects were divided into three groups, the test (CG & CS) and control (C) group with an exercise program to different imagery and physical training for eight weeks. Pre-test was conducted by testing the service performance appraisal based on the results of 25 landings repeated as in training, Miq-R questionnaire (Hall & Martin, 1997) and pulse rate immediately prior to the exercise of a service. ITP imagery training program adapted from Morris et at. (2005) was conducted using different imagery scripts for CG and CS groups and post-test was conducted at the end of the program. Independent samples t-test showed no significant difference when comparing the two test groups. Paired t-test and one-way ANOVA analysis showed that CG group significantly improved performance while not among C group. Analysis Miq-R and the average training heart rate is not significant for all subjects. The study has found that the imagery of CG and CS are not differed in terms of the effectiveness in improving achievement but both are suggested to be conducted in the training program to improve the service by the tekong.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes
Fulltext 3D immersive environment as a psychological training tool to enhance self-confidence and reduce competitive anxiety for Malaysian volleyball athletes

Tan M.J., Omar, A.H., Dayang Tiawa Awang Hamid

Movement Health & Exercise, 2015;4(1):1-14.
MyJurnal

Currently, great emphasis is placed on the development and intervention of psychology in sports in order to address the problem of athletes’ failure to achieve peak performance in actual competitions. This problem is primarily due to internal factors, such as anxieties, as well as external factors, such as the high pressure of the competitive environments athletes encounter. In this study, the cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self confidence levels amongst elite and sub-elite Malaysian volleyball players are defined (male sample n = 50; female sample n = 35; age range between 17 to 25 years). These parameters were measured using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2), in which the questionnaires were completed by all respondents 30 minutes prior to the start of a competition. The findings indicated that there was a significant difference (p < 0.005) in cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence among elite and sub-elite Malaysian (male and female) volleyball athletes. According to the findings, the competitive anxiety levels of the sub-elite athletes were higher than the elite, mainly due to the inability of the sub-elite athletes to control their emotions using psychological skills. In order to minimize this problem, a novel approach that involves using virtual reality to reduce the athletes’ competitive anxiety was proposed. This approach utilizes a 3D immersive environment that was developed based on the challenging real-world situations encountered during a volleyball match. The design and development of this approach is predicted to enhance athletes’ psychological skills, and in turn ensure that they can achieve peak performance under high pressure conditions.

Matched MeSH terms: Athletes

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