Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 72 in total

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  1. Jacklyn Joseph, Aminuddin Yusof, Soh, Kim Geok
    Movement Health & Exercise, 2017;6(2):53-60.
    MyJurnal
    This research examined how customers’ perceptions of service quality
    influence the degree of their involvement and psychological connection to a
    sport activity at a fitness center by applying the Psychological Continuum
    Model (PCM). Research instruments consisted of the PCM and
    SERVQUAL and administered to customers at a fitness centre in Malaysia
    (n = 248). In terms of sport involvement, the results showed most subjects
    are in the level of attachment. Results showed all dimensions of service
    quality have negative mean scores which mean customers are dissatisfied
    will all aspects of service quality at the fitness centre. A one-way ANOVA
    showed differences in satisfaction with service quality based on the PCM
    level of involvement for tangible, reliability, responsiveness, and empathy
    dimensions of service quality. Customers at the higher level of involvement
    (allegiance) reported less dissatisfaction with the tangible, responsiveness,
    empathy, and reliability dimensions of service quality compared with those
    at the awareness level.
  2. Amir Bahram Kashian, Soh, Kim Geok, Soh, Kim Lam, Kittichottipanich, Boonsrin
    Movement Health & Exercise, 2020;9(1):121-139.
    MyJurnal
    Several studies have shown a positive association between variable resistance training (VRT) and the improvement of muscular performance. However, the most effective method of VRT to improve muscular performance in untrained individuals remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of two methods of VRT on maximal muscular strength and endurance among untrained male adults. Fifty apparently healthy untrained males (age: 21.5 ± 1.95 years) were selected randomly and assigned into three groups: combined weight and chain (WC), combined weight and elastic band (WE), and freeweight (CG). All three groups completed 12 weeks of high intensity resistance training (70-80% of one-repetition maximum) with three sets of 812 repetitions, two times per week. Approximately 65% of the whole resistance was provided by free-weights and the other 35% of the resistance was provided by chains and elastic bands for WC and WE groups, respectively. Dependent variables including maximal muscular strength and endurance using onerepetition maximum and maximum repetitions to muscular fatigue were measured, respectively, in the pre-test, post-test 1 (week 6) and post-test 2. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. No differences existed among all groups at baseline for dependent variables. A mixed model ANOVA with repeated measurements analysis revealed that all groups showed significant improvements in maximal muscular strength and endurance during and after the intervention (P = 0.0001). In WE and WC groups, maximal muscular strength and endurance were significantly greater than CG group during and after the intervention, and there were no significant differences between WE and WC groups in the maximal muscular strength and endurance during and after the intervention. However, the WE group showed an insignificant more improvement in maximal muscular strength and endurance compared with WC group after the intervention (chest press strength: 47.94 ± 4.2 vs. 46.76 ± 4.4 kg, squat strength: 85.29 ± 6.5 vs. 80.73 ± 6.4 kg, chest press endurance: 16.94 ± 1.24 vs. 15.47 ± 1.58 repetitions, and squat endurance: 17.94 ± 0.74 vs. 16.58 ± 1.66 repetitions). The results of this study show that VRT has a significant better effect than freeweight resistance training to improve upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance during and after 12 weeks intervention, in particular, WE training has a slightly better effect than WC training to improve upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance after 12 weeks of VRT among untrained male adults in Iran.
  3. Feaizul Mohd Din, Soh, Kim Geok, Nurul Huda Eskak, Kes, Siswantoyo M.
    Movement Health & Exercise, 2019;8(2):81-98.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: This study aimed to identify differences in physical activity scores, calorie intake, calcium and protein intake and their relationship to elderly bone density status at Rumah Seri Kenangan (RSK), Cheras. Methods: The design of this study was a descriptive survey study involving 117 respondents (L = 71, P = 46) living in the RSK, Cheras. This study uses a questionnaire form adapted from Topolski et al. (2006) to determine physical activity scores and the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for information on calorie intake, calcium and protein intake and the use of quantitative ultrasound (QUS-2 ™) machines to measure bone density status. The analysis used in this study was descriptive analysis, independent t-test and correlation. Findings: Independent t-test analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the level of significance of 0.05 to (a) physical activity score of male respondents (M = 4.51, SP = 1.25) and female (M = 4.17, SP = 0.71), [ t (113) = 1.834, p = 0.07]. (b) protein intake was male (M = 438.61, SP = 23.57) and female (M = 437.28, SP = 14.50), [t (115) = 0.376, p = 0.708]. On the other hand, there were significant differences between men and women at the level of significance of 0.05 for the variables (a) of calorie intake that were male respondents (M = 3058.21, SP = 332.68) and women (M = 2420.26, SP = 246.76), [t (115) = 11.16, p = 0.000. (b) calcium intake was male (M = 2783.96, SP = 141.32) and female (M = 3847.89, SP = 96.42), [t (115) = -2.69, p = 0.008]. (c) bone density status was male (M = ─2.22, SP = 0.42) and female (M = ─2.04, SP = 0.20), [t (108) = 3.11, p = 0.002]. Correlation tests revealed no significant relationship between bone density and (a) physical activity score for male respondents (r = 0.024, p = 0.842) and female respondents (r = 0.251, p = 0.092), (b) calorie intake for respondents male (r = 0.062, p = 0.606) and female respondents (r = ─0.221, p = 0.140) and (c) protein intake for male respondents (r = -0.044, p = 0.718) and female respondents (r = 0.238, p = 0.112). A weak positive relationship was noted between bone density status and calcium intake for male respondents (r = 0.331, p = 0.026) while a moderate positive relationship was noted for female respondents (r = 0.465, p = 0.031). Conclusion: Awareness of physical activity as well as calorie intake, calcium and protein is essential for older people to improve their quality of life especially in terms of bone health. A variety of programs can be developed by the aged care institution so that the elderly can optimize their golden age with appropriate physical activity as well as appropriate calorie, calcium and protein intake, while maintaining their bone health.
  4. Govindan, Jaya Kumaran, Soh, Kim Geok, Aminuddin Yusof, Mohd. Sofian Omar Fauzee
    Movement Health & Exercise, 2019;8(1):123-133.
    MyJurnal
    Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti sama ada terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan dari segi persepsi atlet terhadap gaya tingkah laku jurulatih bola sepak sekolah yang digemari dengan gaya tingkah laku sebenar jurulatih bola sepak di Daerah Alor Gajah. Kajian ini melibatkan semua pemain, iaitu seramai 190 pemain bola sepak pasukan sekolah yang berumur di bawah umur 18 tahun yang telah menyertai Pertandingan Bola Sepak antara Zon Peringkat Daerah Alor Gajah. Instrumen Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS) telah digunakan untuk mengumpul data. Soal selidik ini terdiri daripada 40 item yang telah diedarkan kepada pemain bola sepak. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa gaya tingkah laku kepimpinan yang paling digemari oleh atlet ialah gaya tingkah laku latihan dan arahan (min=3.29) dan gaya tingkah laku demokratik (min=3.20), manakala, dimensi tingkah laku autokratik adalah gaya tingkah laku yang paling tidak digemari (min=2.97). Gaya tingkah laku kepimpinan sebenar jurulatih ialah tingkah laku latihan dan arahan (min=4.49), diikuti dengan tingkah laku demokratik (4.40), maklum balas positif (min=4.40), sokongan sosial (min=4.35), dan tingkah laku autokratik (min=4.20). Tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan dalam semua dimensi tingkah laku jurulatih yang digemari dan sebenar kecuali tingkah laku autokratik. Nilai-t yang diperolehi adalah t (187) =3.18, p=0.002.
  5. Ling, Jasmine Chiu Hung, Soh, Kim Geok, Othman Talib, Aminuddin Yusof
    Movement Health & Exercise, 2017;6(2):135-145.
    MyJurnal
    In the context of extending the knowledge of coaching in sports in Malaysia
    particularly in Sarawak, this study aimed to identify the perception of
    student athlete regarding to the coaching behavior, in addition to investigate
    the preferred coaching behavior as well as perceived coaching behavior by
    the student athlete of track and field sports from Sarawak state. This is a
    descriptive study that using equal-size groups in stratified sampling
    method. The study consisted of 252 respondents (male, n = 126; female, n =
    126), who were secondary school student athletes aged between 13 to 18
    years old and had represented their division for competition. Questionnaires
    Leadership Scale for Sport (LSS) developed by Chelladurai and Saleh
    (1980) was adapted and used as instrument for our research to measure five
    coaching behaviors. Based on the Sarawak state sport track and field student
    athletes perception on the coaching behavior, findings indicated that the
    preferred behavior by student athletes matched with the perceived coaching
    behavior of the coach. Study data demonstrated that Instruction and
    Training behavior (M = 4.33, SP = 0.67) as the most preferred ranking,
    followed by Positive Feedback behavior (M = 4.14, SP = 0.74). The
    findings of student athletes' perceptions to perceived coaching behavior that
    often existing on the coach is also Instruction and Training behavior (M =
    4.13, SD = 0.68), followed by Positive Feedback behavior (M = 3.89, SD =
    0.75). As the conclusion, perceptions of student athletes were not differed
    by gender, with both boys and girls indicated alike thoughts in their
    preferred coaching behavior as well as perceived coaching behavior, which
    was Instruction and Training behavior.
  6. Dev, Roxana Dev Omar, Tengku Fadilah Tengku Kamalden, Soh, Kim Geok, Ahmad Fauzi Mohd Ayub, Ismi Arif Ismail
    Movement Health & Exercise, 2018;7(2):53-64.
    MyJurnal
    University students experience a substantial amount of change where they
    progress from the highly controlled setting of school to the self-motivated
    environment of the university. Many changes which involve social,
    financial, and environment elements, can be a burden to the students putting
    them at risk in negative health behaviours. Negative health behaviours
    among university students are a cause for concern since they have a
    tendency to be carried into adulthood, which may cause the emergence of
    chronic disease at a younger age. Spiritual intelligence together with selfefficacy
    is seen to promote better health behaviour. Therefore, the purpose
    of the study was to investigate the relationship between spiritual intelligence
    and self-efficacy on health behaviours among university students in
    Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia. A correlational study was conducted
    on 400 undergraduate university students living on campus and were chosen
    through stratified random sampling technique using closed ended
    questionnaires (The Spiritual Self-Report Inventory, General Self Efficacy
    Scale and a modified version of Health Style Questionnaire). Pearson
    correlation and structural equation modelling were used to explore
    association between these aspects. Spiritual intelligence, self-efficacy and
    health behaviour were significantly correlated. Self-efficacy showed a
    partial mediation effect towards the relationship between spiritual
    intelligence and promoting health behaviour (p=0.000). Thus, an association
    was found between spiritual intelligence with health behaviour, and selfefficacy
    with health behaviour. It is interpreted that spiritual intelligence can
    boost positive health behaviour and it is associated with self-efficacy
    relevantly gives benefit to health behaviour. Such data have important
    implications for both health practice and policy, especially in the context of
    higher education institutions.
  7. Liu X, Soh KG, Omar Dev RD
    BMC Public Health, 2023 Jul 11;23(1):1332.
    PMID: 37434149 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16221-6
    BACKGROUND: Latin dance is a well-liked physical activity. It has gained increasing attention as an exercise intervention for improving physical and mental health outcomes. This systematic review examines the effects of Latin dance on physical and mental health.

    METHODS: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) were used to report the data for this review. To gather research from the literature, we used recognized academic and scientific databases such SportsDiscus with Full Text, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. The systematic review only included 22 studies out of the 1,463 that matched all inclusion criteria. The PEDro scale was used to rate each study's quality. 22 research received scores between 3 and 7.

    RESULTS: Latin dance has been demonstrated to promote physical health by helping people lose weight, improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle strength and tone, and improve flexibility and balance. Furthermore, Latin dance can benefit mental health by reducing stress, improving mood, social connection, and cognitive function.

    CONCLUSIONS: Finding from this systematic review provide substantial evidence that Latin dance has effect on physical and mental health. Latin dance has the potential to be a powerful and pleasurable public health intervention.

    SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: CRD42023387851, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero .

  8. Li J, Soh KG, Loh SP
    Sci Rep, 2024 Jul 26;14(1):17213.
    PMID: 39060296 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67995-7
    The optimal intermittent time for post-activation potentiation (PAP) training remains uncertain and contentious. This study employed a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the effect of different intermittent times on PAP in relation to explosive vertical jump height. Relevant literature was sourced from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases using keywords such as "postactivation potentiation," "activation enhancement effect," "PAP," "explosive vertical jump," "explosive vertical high jump," and "intermittent time." The search covered publications from the inception of each database until June 2024. Studies involving athletes (regardless of sport type) undergoing PAP training were included, with no restrictions on the methods used to induce PAP. Comparative analysis focused on the heights of countermovement jumps (CMJ) and peak ground reaction force (GRF) before and after interventions. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, and data were analyzed using RevMan5.3. The study included a total of 21 papers with 327 subjects, primarily using the squat as the method of PAP induction. The meta-analysis revealed that intermittent times of 4 min [MD = - 0.03, 95% CI: - 0.04 ~ - 0.01; Z = 2.71, P = 0.007] and 5-8 min [MD = - 0.03, 95% CI: - 0.04 ~ - 0.01; Z = 3.07, P = 0.002] significantly increased the height of explosive vertical CMJs. However, intermittent times of 1-3 min [MD = -0.00, 95% CI: - 0.01 ~ 0.01; Z = 0.38, P = 0.70] and 10-24 min [MD = - 0.01, 95% CI: - 0.02 ~ 0.00; Z = 1.43, P = 0.15] did not show significant effects on CMJ height. These findings indicate that 4-min and 5-8 min intervals significantly enhance CMJ height, while intervals shorter than 4 min or longer than 8 min do not have a significant impact.
  9. Sun H, Soh KG, Xu X
    Front Psychol, 2022;13:877844.
    PMID: 35572319 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.877844
    BACKGROUND: It has been well investigated that nature exposure intervention can restore directed attention and improve subsequent cognitive performance. The impairment of decision-making skills in mentally fatigued soccer players was attributed to the inability of attention allocation. However, nature exposure as the potential intervention to counter mental fatigue and improve the subsequent decision-making skill in soccer players has never been investigated.

    OBJECTS: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nature exposure intervention on decision-making skills among mentally fatigued university soccer players. Moreover, different durations of nature exposure were also evaluated.

    METHODS: A random control between-subject design was adopted. Players were randomly assigned into six groups with three different durations of the experimental group compared with the corresponding control group (4.17 min: Exp 1 vs. Con 1; 8.33 min: Exp 2 vs. Con 2; and 12.50 min: Exp 3 vs. Con 3). All players were first mentally fatigued by performing a 45-min Stroop task; then, they viewed virtual photos of natural or urban scenes; and finally, they performed a soccer decision-making task.

    RESULTS: The subjective ratings of mental fatigue were significantly higher following the Stroop task. Only Exp 3 (12.50 min viewing natural scenes) significantly improved decision-making reaction time compared with Con 3 (p = 0.09). Moreover, the accuracy slightly increased in Exp 3 after the intervention.

    CONCLUSION: In line with attention restoration theory, nature exposure significantly improved decision-making skills in mentally fatigue university players. However, the duration must be 12.50 min for each stimulus to stay longer to attract involuntary attention.

  10. Pan X, Soh KG, Soh KL
    PLoS One, 2024;19(11):e0313105.
    PMID: 39514612 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313105
    Ball sports demand precise control of body and ball while executing tactics and team coordination, which leads to cognitive depletion and mental fatigue. The detrimental effects of mental fatigue on physical, technical, cognitive, and tactical performance in ball sports are evident, highlighting the need for effective management of mental fatigue as a crucial component of modern sports science. This review aims to systematically study and integrate existing experiments on mental fatigue recovery interventions to identify viable strategies for mitigating its impacts. Following PRISMA guidelines, electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus were used for literature screening. Studies that induced mental fatigue followed by interventions aimed at mental fatigue recovery were included in this review, resulting in 6 articles primarily focused on basketball, soccer, and golf. Short-term interventions such as music listening, mindfulness training, self-talk, and natural visual stimuli have been shown as effective strategies to alleviate mental fatigue and enhance technical and cognitive performance in ball sports. However, their practical application in real-game environments requires further research and validation. Additionally, future research should explore defensive skills and tactical performance as viable directions for study.
  11. Soh KL, Koziol-Mclain J, Wilson J, Soh KG
    Aust J Adv Nurs, 2007 Mar-May;24(3):19-25.
    PMID: 17518161
    The purpose of this study was to identify knowledge deficits concerning nosocomial pneumonia (NP) prevention among critical care nurses. The study also determined whether NP knowledge was associated with nurse characteristics.
  12. Soh KL, Davidson PM, Leslie G, DiGiacomo M, Soh KG
    J Clin Nurs, 2013 Mar;22(5-6):856-65.
    PMID: 23398314 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12017
    To describe nurses' perceptions of evidence-based recommendations to prevent complications in a Malaysian intensive care unit.
  13. Soh KL, Davidson PM, Leslie G, DiGiacomo M, Soh KG
    Contemp Nurse, 2019 8 14;55(2-3):221-236.
    PMID: 31403398 DOI: 10.1080/10376178.2019.1643751
    Background: Quality improvement projects have been widely adopted to prevent complications in the ICU. Objective: This paper describes nurses' perceptions of implementation strategies and the potential sustainability of a practice change intervention to prevent complications in a Malaysian ICU. Design: A participatory action research using five focus group discussions were undertaken with 19 nurses in a single ICU in regional Malaysia. Focus group transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The main themes derived from the interviews were: [1] Empowering staff to embrace evidence-based practices; [2] Staff knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that impact on behaviour; and [3] management support and leadership are influential in staff behaviours (acceptance & perseverance of change process). Discussion: Resistance to change was recognized as a barrier to adopting evidence based recommendations. There is a need to improve nurses' knowledge, attitude and awareness of the importance of assessment for VAP, CRBSI and PIs in the ICU.
  14. Xiang M, Soh KG, Xu Y, Ahrari S, Zakaria NS
    Front Psychol, 2023;14:1129961.
    PMID: 37034921 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1129961
    INTRODUCTION: Many scholars have explored the participation of LGBTQ individuals in sports. However, these studies have either categorized homosexuality and bisexuality together or focused only on lesbian, gay, or transgender individuals. There is a lack of research in the literature on bisexual individuals' sports participation and an even more significant lack of Asia perspectives. Therefore, this qualitative study is aimed to explore the experiences of female bisexual student-athletes in China.

    METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with four female bisexual student-athletes were conducted and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

    RESULTS: Three themes and eight sub-themes were identified. Theme 1. what bisexual identity means, and sub-themes: a struggling journey, emotional attraction, and gender role for female bisexual student-athletes; Theme 2. invalid identity, and sub-themes: lesbian mask, unrecognized identity; Theme 3. perceptions of sports context, and sub-themes: the influence of the sports context on sexual fluidity, relative inclusion, and perceived rejection.

    CONCLUSION: This study provides new insights into understanding the experience of female bisexual student-athlete. In addition, the results highlight the importance of the need to study bisexuality as a distinct identity.

  15. Bai X, Xiao W, Soh KG, Agudamu, Zhang Y
    PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0293483.
    PMID: 37883372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293483
    Healthy aging is a global goal to enhance the quality of life for older persons. This study evaluated the benefits of 12-week concurrent brisk walking and Taijiquan. Healthy Chinese women aged 60 years and above were enrolled to the control (n = 26) and intervention (n = 25) groups. Participants in the intervention group engaged in three exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks, whereas control group engaged in free-living activities. Each exercise session consisted of 20-45 minutes of walking and 20-45 minutes of Yang style 24-form Taijiquan. 12-week exercise improved (p < 0.05) the sit and reach test (within-group mean difference: +5.6 cm; Hedges' g = 0.77), handgrip strength (mean difference: +3.1 kg; g = 0.89), arm curl (mean difference: +2.1 repetitions; g = 0.69), chair stand (mean difference: +2.6 repetitions; g = 0.63), and one-legged standing (mean difference: +2.2 seconds; g = 1.07). There was no improvement in the circulatory health, body composition, or life satisfaction. Therefore, this concurrent brisk walking and Taijiquan training, which targets major whole-body muscle groups, could improve aging-critical flexibility, muscular fitness, and balance in older women. The exercise meets the current WHO guideline, is safe to perform, and could be campaigned as a health promotion for older persons.
  16. Xiang M, Soh KG, Xu Y, Ahrari S, Zakaria NS
    Heliyon, 2023 Jun;9(6):e16832.
    PMID: 37332967 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16832
    This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of LGBTQ student-athletes to identify ways in which athletic staff, coaches, and others can support LGBTQ youth's safe participation in sports. Guided by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews (PRISMA) and eMERGe reporting guidance. We conducted a meta-ethnography to synthesize qualitative research focused on student-athletes' experiences. Fourteen studies were included in the meta-ethnography published between 1973 and 2022. Four themes were identified: (1) experiences of discrimination and violence; (2) perceived stigma; (3) internalized prejudice; and (4) coping and team support, and they were used to generate a line of argument model, which explains the stress process of LGBTQ student-athletes in the sports. LGBTQ student-athletes experience persistent discrimination in college sports, which poses a significant risk to their mental health. Meanwhile, this study identified that qualitative research on LGBTQ youth sports participation is lacking in many regions of the world and lacks knowledge of the sports participation experience of bisexual, gay, and transgender students. These findings revealed a way for research on LGBTQ-related issues and future policy and practice on LGBTQ youth-related issues in sports.
  17. Liu H, Soh KG, Samsudin S, Rattanakoses W, Qi F
    Front Psychol, 2022;13:1021285.
    PMID: 36275318 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1021285
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Among the large number of studies on smartphone addiction, only a few randomized controlled trials on exercise and psychological interventions for smartphone addiction by university students have been published. This study aims to systematically investigate the impact of exercise and psychological interventions on smartphone addiction among university students.

    METHODS: The PRISMA guidelines were adopted for this systematic literature review. Prominent academic databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PsycINFO were searched to find eligible studies published before Aug 2021. The overall quality of the articles was checked using the "QualSyst" tool by Kmet et al.

    RESULTS: From among 600 papers, 23 met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated into our systematic review. All of the studies were randomized controlled trials. The following thematic areas emerged as a result of the content analysis: study selection and design, as well as study characteristics (participants, intervention, comparisons, and outcomes).

    DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The literature on exercise and psychological interventions for smartphone addiction is scarce. There is a need to introduce new interventions and to validate the effectiveness of combined interventions. Our findings suggest that exercise and psychological interventions may help to reduce smartphone addiction. This combination was more effective compare to exercise or psychological intervention on mental health and addiction among university students. Future research should combine exercise and psychological interventions, focusing on university students, especially females, who are vulnerable to smartphone addiction. Further studies should focus on the cross-section of neuropsychology, cognitive psychology, and sports science to provide combined interventions in physiological and psychological direction.

    SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier: CRD42021278037.

  18. Deng N, Soh KG, Abdullah B, Huang D
    PeerJ, 2023;11:e16638.
    PMID: 38111665 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16638
    BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, the popularity of racket sports has surged. Plyometric training (PT) has been the focus of extensive research because of the proven benefits it provides to athletes. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews and meta-analyses specifically evaluating the impact of PT on physical fitness metrics in racket sport athletes. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of evidence derived from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of PT on measures of physical fitness among racket sports athletes.

    METHODS: The electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and SPORTDiscus were systematically searched up to June 2023 without placing any restrictions on the publication dates. The PICOS method was adopted to establish the inclusion criteria: (a) healthy athletes who participate in racket sports; (b) a PT program; (c) a control group; (d) assessment of physical fitness components pre- and post-PT; and (e) RCTs. The records' methodological quality was assessed utilizing the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The certainty in the evidence related to each outcome was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) assessment. A random-effects model was used to calculate effect sizes (ES; Hedges' g) between experimental and control groups.

    RESULTS: There were 14 eligible studies of moderate-to-high-quality, involving 746 athletes in total. The results revealed small-to-moderate effects (p < 0.05) of PT on muscle power (ES = 0.46), muscle strength (ES = 0.50), sprint speed (ES = 0.45), change of direction ability (ES = 0.76), and reaction time (ES = 0.67), while no clear evidence was found on balance and flexibility. The training-induced changes in muscle power showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between youth (ES = 0.72) and adults (ES = 0.40). There were also similar muscle power improvements (ES = 0.36-0.54 vs 0.38-0.56, all p > 0.05) for a length of ≤7 weeks with ≤14 total PT sessions vs >7 weeks with >14 total PT sessions, and ≤2 weekly sessions vs >2 sessions. No adverse effects were reported in the included studies regarding the PT intervention. The certainty of evidence varied from very low to moderate. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that PT has positive effects on important indices of physical fitness among athletes participating in racket sports. Future studies are required to clarify the optimal doses and examine interactions among training variables to further promote the physical fitness of this specific population.

  19. Ma S, Yang Y, Soh KG, Tan H
    BMC Public Health, 2024 Mar 06;24(1):727.
    PMID: 38448880 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18097-6
    BACKGROUND: The physical and mental health of college students is often mentioned, but there is limited research on a direct relationship between the mental health status of college students and their physical fitness level. This study mainly proves the relationship between Chinese college students' mental health and physical fitness indicators.

    METHOD: This study collected SCL-90 Scale test results from 5262 students (4012 boys and 1250 girls) through a questionnaire survey and conducted a Sport Quality Test on these students. Statistical software SPSS was applied for differential analysis and logistic regression analysis. Specifically, the differences in sport quality indicators between normal and abnormal mean total scores of psychological tests were analyzed first. Then, the binary logistic regression model was used to explore the impacts of sports quality indicator scores on students' psychological fitness.

    RESULTS: There are differences in the results of physical fitness tests between students with abnormal psychology and students with normal psychology. The four indexes of students' vital capacity, speed, explosive power of lower limbs, and endurance running are effective in improving students' psychologically abnormal state, and endurance running and improving vital capacity are the most effective methods to improve students' psychologically abnormal state. In the physical tests of Chinese college students, the risk of psychological abnormalities was reduced by 9% for every one-point increase in lung capacity and 10.4% for every one-point increase in endurance running performance.

    CONCLUSIONS: Chinese college students' physical fitness and mental health are related. The best methods for treating psychological disorders are lung capacity improvement and endurance running. According to the physical test results of Chinese college students, for every 1-point increase in lung capacity and endurance running, the risk of psychological abnormalities decreased by 9% and 10.4%, respectively.

  20. Deng N, Soh KG, Abdullah BB, Huang D
    Heliyon, 2024 Mar 30;10(6):e28051.
    PMID: 38533062 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28051
    Skill-related physical fitness significantly correlates with sports performance. Plyometric training (PT) is an effective method for improving physical fitness in athletes. However, its impact on skill-related physical fitness in badminton players remains uncertain. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PT on skill-related physical fitness in badminton players. Five electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, and SPORTSDiscus) were searched until February 2024. A PICOS approach was used to identify inclusion criteria, (1) healthy badminton players, (2) a PT program, (3) an active control group, (4) a measure of skill-related physical fitness before and after PT, and (5) randomized controlled studies. The PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of PT studies, while the level of evidence certainty was determined through the GRADE framework. The calculation of effect sizes (ESs) was based on mean values and standard deviations, and heterogeneity was measured with the I2 statistic. The extended Egger's test was employed to check for publication bias. Eleven studies comprising 445 badminton players were eligible for inclusion. The analysis revealed significant small-to-moderate effects of PT on power (ES = 0.60, p 
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