The Comparison of Physical Fitness, Anthropometric Characteristics, and Visual Acuity of Goalball Players with Their Right Shot Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (6) ◽  
pp. 516-530
Author(s):  
Bulent Kimyon ◽  
Gonca Ince

Introduction: This study investigated the relationship between physical fitness, anthropometric characteristics, visual acuity of athletes with visual impairments, and their right shot performance. Method: The participants of the study involved 34 male athletes with different visual acuities who participated in the 2015 Visually Impaired Schools Goalball Championship in Alanya, Turkey. The means of the participants’ age, body weight, height, and sport age were 14.95 ± 1.28 years, 52.06 ± 8.89 kilograms, 163.58 ± 10.39 centimeters, 02.39 ± 1.50 years, respectively. The participants’ physical fitness, body fat percentage, handgrip (right–left), and spine flexibility were measured. Upper and lower extremity lengths were obtained through anthropometric measurements, and the athletes’ right shot performance was calculated. To analyze the data, the Shapiro–Wilk test was used, and one-way analysis of variance and independent sample t-test were performed, because the data showed a normal distribution ( p = .106). In addition, multivariate regression model analysis was utilized to investigate the relationship between all parameters and the athletes’ right shot performance. Results: A significant difference was found among the groups’ right shot performance ( p = .03), specifically on behalf of the athletes with low vision. When the participants’ anthropometric features, physical fitness values, and their right shot performance were examined, a positive relationship was observed between their dominant (right) handgrip strength and right shot performance (stepwise method; p = .03, R2 = 0.14). However, no significant difference emerged between their anthropometric characteristics and right shot performance. Discussion: It is considered that visual acuity and upper extremity muscle strength are of vital importance in goalball. Implications for practitioners: Whereas the International Blind Sports Federation applies rules according to visual acuity to offer equal conditions for some areas of sport, in goalball such a rule does not exist. It is important to make a change in the regulations for competition groupings according to visual acuities in goalball like in other sports for individuals with visual impairments. More frequent workout oriented to upper extremity muscle strength during right shot performance is suggested in the training sessions.

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
Kenan Erdağı

Background and Study Aim: Handgrip strength is widely used as a functionality parameter of the upper extremity and general health. The measurement of handgrip strength by dynamometry is a low cost, noninvasive method of simple applicability. The study aims to find out handgrip strength and its correlation with some anthropometric characteristics of the upper extremity and weightlifting performance of elite (international medalists) and sub-elite (national medalists) Olympic style weightlifting athletes. Material and Methods: We obtained anthropometric measurements of upper extremity of elite athletes (n=25 male, n= 20 female) and sub-elite athletes (n=25 male, n=29 female) in the study. Dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength measurements of the groups were obtained by a Jamar dynamometer, according to the recommendations of the American Association of Hand Therapists. Results:No statistically significant difference was observed in non-dominant handgrip strength of male elite and sub-elite weightlifting athletes. Similarly, no significant difference was observed in between some anthropometric characteristics of upper extremity and dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength of female elite and sub-elite weightlifting athletes. We didn’t find any asymmetry between dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength of study groups. We found a significant correlation between dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength of male and female elite athletes and their height, body weight, BMI and weightlifting performance. Conclusions: Consequently, we might explain that adding special exercises into the general trainings of athletes to develop handgrip strength might contribute to the weightlifting performance of the athletes. 


2011 ◽  
Vol 164 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana G Taekema ◽  
Carolina H Y Ling ◽  
Gerard Jan Blauw ◽  
Carel G Meskers ◽  
Rudi G J Westendorp ◽  
...  

ObjectiveIn aging populations, poor handgrip strength has been associated with physical disability and mortality. IGF1 is an important mediator of muscle growth and regeneration affecting muscle function. We studied the relationship between circulating levels of IGF1, its binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), and handgrip strength and physical performance in middle-aged- and oldest-old subjects.DesignCross-sectional analysis in two different cohorts composed of middle-aged- (n=672, mean 63.9±6.7 years) and oldest-old subjects (n=272, all 89 years).MethodsHandgrip strength, functional performance and ability, and serum levels of IGF1 and IGFBP3 were measured in all subjects and analyzed by linear regression for men and women separately.ResultsIGF1 and IGFBP3 levels declined with chronological age and were positively associated with handgrip strength in middle-aged- and oldest-old women (both, P<0.05), but not in men of either age group. Furthermore, higher serum levels of IGF1 were associated with slower walking speed in oldest-old men (P=0.012), and serum levels of IGFBP3 were positively associated with activities of daily living in the oldest-old women (P=0.002).ConclusionThe significant relationship between IGF1 levels and muscle strength found in women but not in men suggests a gender-specific influence of IGF1 on muscle strength. Further studies are necessary to test the relationship with physical performance.


Kinesiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-245
Author(s):  
Hamid Arazi ◽  
Ehsan Eghbali

2D:4D ratio is determined by balance between androgens and estrogens. Low level estrogen reduces bone mineral density (BMD) and incurs negative changes to bone microarchitecture, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and, as a consequence, fracture risk in women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between 2D:4D, muscle strength and body composition to BMD in young women. One hundred twenty-seven young women (age range 24-36 years) voluntarily participated in this study. Lengths of the second (index) and fourth (ring) fingers, upper and lower body strength and body composition (body mass index, BMI; waist to hip ratio, WHR) and body fat percentage were estimated. Also, blood levels of calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) were evaluated and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device was used to measure BMD in the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN). The results showed that digit ratios, upper body and lower body muscle strength, BMI and fat percentage had a positive relationship with LS and FN BMD (LS BMD: r=.47, r=.56, r=.46, r=.34, r=.28, p≤.001, respectively; FN BMD: r=.34, r=.49, r=.51, r=.45, r=.27, p≤.001, respectively). In addition, there was no significant relationship between WHR and BMD of LS and FN (p˃.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed the upper body strength was a stronger determinant of LS BMD and the lower body strength was a stronger determinant of FN BMD. Based on the results, the researchers concluded that upper and lower body strength, 2D:4D ratios and BMI were important determinants of young women’s BMD. Also, it seemed that some of these factors may be able to help predicting the osteoporosis potential in young women


Author(s):  
I Putu Adiartha Griadhi ◽  
I Putu Gede Adiatmika ◽  
I Ketut Tirtayasa

Background: Légong dance is a famous Balinese dance with a dynamic movement. It potentially becomes an exercise of choice to improve young girls’ physical fitness. This study aimed to evaluate légong dance training’s effect on physical fitness compared with aerobic training. Methods: Forty young girls were randomly assigned to the aerobic training (AG) and lègong dance (DG) group and trained with jogging and lègong dancing at moderate-intensity aerobic training. Each was carried out for 30 minutes, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. Result: Aerobic capacity (estimated maximal oxygen consumption) improved significantly in AG and DG, with a mean difference and Cohen d effect size of 0.36 mL/kg/min and 0.68. The back- and leg-muscle strength increased significantly in DG and AG, with a mean difference of 5.55 kg and 6.67 kg, and an effect size of 0.69 and 0.77. Balance improved significantly in DG and AG, with a mean difference of 21.26 seconds and an effect size of 1.05. All significant values are reported at P < .05. There were no significant improvements in arm muscle strength, body fat percentage, and flexibility in either group (P > .05). Conclusion: Lègong dance training results in significant physical fitness improvement and better results than aerobic training.


Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smelt ◽  
Pouwels ◽  
Celik ◽  
Gupta ◽  
Smulders

: Background: Several studies showed that there is a relationship between vitamin and mineral status and muscle strength. In particular this is the case for handgrip strength (HS) and vitamin D deficiency. In bariatric surgery there is a risk of decrease in muscle strength after surgery and also vitamin and mineral deficiencies are not uncommon. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of low vitamin 25 (OH) cholecalciferol levels, high dose cholecalciferol supplementation regime and protein intake on physical fitness, measured using handgrip strength (HS) and the shuttle walk run test (SWRT). Methods: For this retrospective study, 100 patients who have had bariatric surgery were included. Group A (n = 50) used 800 IU oral cholecalciferol per day. Group B (n = 50) used 800 IU oral cholecalciferol daily and 50,000 IU liquid cholecalciferol monthly lifelong. Both groups were matched on common variables. To measure physical fitness, we used the HS manometer of Jamar and the Shuttle Walk Run Test (SWRT) to assess physical capacity. Results: No significant differences in HS and SWRT outcomes were found between patients with serum 25 (OH) cholecalciferol < 75 nmol/L or >75 nmol/L. The postoperative HS is significantly influenced by protein intake (p = 0.017) and no significant influence was seen in outcomes of the SWRT (p = 0.447). Conclusion: We have found that serum 25 (OH) cholecalciferol and different cholecalciferol supplementation regimes do not have a significant effect on HS and SWRT before, three and 6 months after surgery. It seems that protein intake plays a more important role in maintaining adequate muscle strength.


1996 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Skaggs ◽  
Chris Hopper

The present paper is a review of the psychomotor abilities of individuals with visual impairments. It was found that cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, flexibility, and balance were significantly lower in individuals with visual impairments than in individuals with nonimpaired sight. Differences were found in physical fitness and psychomotor skills among individuals with visual impairments. Those individuals with a later onset of blindness and greater visual acuity performed best. Segregated environments appeared to foster superior physical fitness and psychomotor skills compared to integrated environments. Findings indicated that some physical fitness evaluation instruments produce inaccurate results in testing individuals with visual impairments. Suggestions for future research are included.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-20
Author(s):  
Tuğba KOCAHAN ◽  
Bihter AKINOĞLU ◽  
Abdullah GENÇ ◽  
Banu KABAK ◽  
Gökhan DELİCEOĞLU ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerardo Weisstaub ◽  
Maria Angelica Gonzalez ◽  
Antonio Garcia Hermoso ◽  
Gabriela Salazar

Abstract Background Obesity and lower physical fitness levels in children are related to the development of cardiometabolic risk. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship of cardio-metabolic risk and physical fitness in school children from Santiago de Chile. Methods Physical fitness was assessed as cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength. Fitness was measured using the six-minute-walk-test and muscle strength was assessed by hand grip and standing lung jump. Overweight (≥ 1 SD) and obesity (≥ 2 SD) were determined by body mass index. A cross sectional study was done in 452 children (185 boys and 267 girls), age range (7–9 years). Cardio-metabolic-risk (serum glucose, triglycerides, HDL, insulin) and waist for height ratio was expressed as z score. Data was analyzed using bivariate analysis and multiple and logistic regression. Results A 21% were obese and 27% overweight. Children with high body fat and low cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength had an OR of 6.8-fold (IC 95% 3.4 to 13.9) cardiometabolic risk z-score, compared to those most fit. Conclusion School children with higher body fat and lower physical fitness had increased cardio-metabolic-risk-score. No significant difference in cardio-metabolic risk in the non-obese children was found independent of their physical fitness.


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