Tracking of Maternal Physical Activity and Sport Participation over 11 Years: Findings from the Czech ELSPAC Study

Purpose: Tracking of physical activity (PA) and sport participation (SP) during motherhood is poorly understood. The purpose of the study was to analyze the extent of tracking of maternal PA and SP. Methods: In this investigation, data were collected from the Czech ELSPAC study subsample of 4811 and 2609 women measured postnatally (1991–1992) and after 11 years of follow-up (2002–2003), respectively. The structured questionnaire was used to assess the participation and average weekly time spent in PA, and the frequency of engaging in different sports (running, cycling, strength training, racket sports, swimming, and team sports). Tracking was calculated using generalized estimating equations (GEE) with beta coefficients (β), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Moderately high tracking coefficients were observed for cycling (β = 0.69, 95% 0.67–0.72), strength training (β = 0.59, 95% 0.56–0.63), and weekly time spent in PA (β = 0.53, 95% 0.38–0.66); meanwhile, moderate tracking coefficients were generated for swimming (β = 0.48, 95% 0.44–0.52), team sports (β = 0.44, 95% 0.39–0.48), racket sports (β = 0.44, 95% 0.39–0.48), and running (β = 0.35, 95% 0.30–0.40). Mothers who did not participate in PA at baseline were 81% more likely not to participate in it at follow-up (OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.53–2.13). Conclusion: Cycling- and strength-related activities and weekly PA were tracked moderately-to-moderately high during motherhood. Moreover, the strong tracking of physical inactivity indicates that the detection of this risk factor before pregnancy should be advocated.

Sport Performance Analysis with a Focus on Racket Sports: A Review

Athletes, both professional and amateur, are always looking for ways to improve their performance. With the introduction and increasing availability of modern technologies and smart devices arose the need to measure and analyze performance, but likewise, the use of these innovations as a competitive advantage also arose. Scientific publications reflect the wide range of available approaches and technologies, as well as the growing interest in various sports. As a result, we concentrated on a systematic review of publications that presented performance analysis tools and methods in all sports, with a final focus on racket sports. Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science (WoS) and Elsevier Inc.’s SCOPUS databases were searched for 1147 studies that conducted performance analysis and sports research and were published in English. The data in the systematic review are current, up until 18 May 2021. A general review was performed on 759 items, and then 65 racket sports publications were thoroughly scrutinized. We concentrated on performance data, data collection and analysis tools, performance analysis methods, and software. We also talked about performance prediction. In performance research, we have identified specific approaches for specific sports as well as key countries. We are also considering expanding performance analysis in to E-sports in the future.

The Effect of Core Stability Training on Dynamic Balance and Smash Stroke Performance in Badminton Players - An Evidence Based Study

Background: Badminton is one of the most popular sports and fastest racket sports in the world in which single or double players striking shuttle cock to and fro across the net to score a point. The important components for badminton players are muscle strength, muscular endurance, power, speed, agility, flexibility, balance and coordination. Core stability training is one of the essential fitness components of any racket sports player, especially for badminton players during smashing the shuttlecock smash through the game. Purpose: The purpose is to study the scientific evidences regarding the effect of core stability training on dynamic balance and smash stroke performance in badminton players. Methodology: A search for relevant articles was carried out using key words- Badminton, core stability training, dynamic balance and smash stroke performance and search engines- Google Scholar, PubMed, PEDro, Science Direct, SPOERT Discuss, Research Gate and CINAHL. Studies were selected from year 2010-2019. Ten studies were included in which there were 2 systemic reviews, 5 RCT, 2 correlation study,2 experimental study, and 1 cross sectional study. Results: 12 studies were reviewed from which 11 studies concluded that core stability training is effective in improving dynamic balance and smash stroke performance in badminton players. Conclusion: Based on the analysis of these 12 articles, it can be concluded that core stability training is effective in improving dynamic balance and smash stroke performance in badminton players. Clinical Implication: Core stability training is found to be effective improving and smash stroke performance in athletes with various racquet sports and can be performed to improve athletics skill performance. Keywords: Badminton, Core stability training, Dynamic balance and Smash stroke performance