The effect of different playing surfaces on soccer skill performance

Football (soccer) is traditionally played on natural grass but artificial surfaces are becoming an increasing popular alternative. Understanding how different surfaces affect a player's skill performance has not been examined. This study sought to compare soccer skill performance, using a validated test, on natural grass, third generation (3G) artificial turf, and indoor sprung wooden floor. Following familiarisation, 14 male players (12.7 ± 0.5 years-old, with 6.21 years playing experience) performed the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT) on three different surfaces in the following order: indoor, grass and artificial turf. Players were given two practise attempts before the best of two trials were recorded. Movement time was faster on artificial turf (45.1 ± 1.3 s) than natural grass (46.2 ± 1.8 s; p = 0.045), but there was no difference in overall LSPT performance between grass (54.1 ± 4.2 s) and artificial turf (54.0 ± 4.7 s; p = 0.92). Overall LSPT performance was better on indoor surface (50.9 ± 4.6 s) than grass (p = 0.02) and artificial turf (p = 0.02) due to reduced penalty time on the indoor surface (5.5 ± 3.3 s) than grass (7.9 ± 2.9 s; p = 0.001) and artificial turf (8.9 ± 3.9 s; p = 0.003). There is no difference in soccer skill performance between grass and 3G artificial turf. Skill performance on an indoor surface was ∼6% better than both grass and 3G artificial turf due to better ball control and/or accuracy of passing. Our findings will enable comparison of studies using the LSPT on indoor and outdoor (grass or artificial) surfaces.

Golf-Putting Performance in Skilled Golfers at Different Distances to the Hole

Golf putting occurs under highly variable conditions. Therefore, adapting to different putting distances is a challenge that the golfer faces and understanding the variables underlying performance in this task is important. The main objective of this study was to analyse the golf-putting performance in skilled golfers at different distances to the hole. Fourteen highly skilled golfers, adult male and right-handed (41.5 ± 13.2 years with an average handicap of 2.3 ± 1.7) performed the golf putting on a natural grass green, completing a total of 120 randomly ordered trials, 30 trials at each of the four different practice conditions (1, 2, 3, and 4 m away from the hole). A smart engineered putter (InPutter) was used as the data acquisition instrument to record several process variables at 100 Hz. Results indicated that golf-putting distances constrained movement organisation variables in specific ways. For example, as the distance to the hole changes, so do the informational constraints, shaping how a golfer needs to regulate performance. We concluded that the effects of different golf-putting distances required the implementation of functional solutions uniquely adjusted to each player. Furthermore, the perception that the player withdrew from the properties of the context (e.g., distance to the hole) was important to adapt the golf-putting process variables (e.g., amplitude and duration of the movement, among others). All these factors led to a decisive influence on how the golfer hit the ball and adjusted his performance. A major implication of developing a better understanding of the role of performance in golf putting is that coaches and players should allow functional movement behaviours to emerge during practice.

Synthetic Turfgrass and the Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™

Synthetic turf is a manufactured product that utilizes synthetic fibers that mimic the aesthetic look of natural grass. While designed to imitate the look of natural turf, synthetic turf does not provide the ecosystem benefits of a natural turf system. This publication examines the properties of synthetic turf in relation to each of FFL’s nine principles. A new publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department; 4 pages.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep612

Effect of feeding high yielding fodders on growth performance of growing Hilly Brown Bengal goat

This study was carried out to evaluate the feeding effect of high yielding fodders (HYF) on feed intake and growth performance of growing Hilly Brown Bengal (HBB) goat. For this purpose, a feeding trail was conducted with 16 growing HBB kids (4 to 5 months) by dividing equally in four groups having four replicates for a period of 75 days. The goats in group T0 (control) received natural grass along with 101.30g concentrates and adlibitum cowpea hay, whereas in group T1, T2 and T3, only natural grass was replaced by BLRI Napier 3, BLRI Napier 4 and Ruzi fodder, respectively. Total dry matter intake (DMI), roughages DMI, crude protein intake (CP), body weight gain (kg), average daily gain (g) and forth night body weight gain (g/day) were studied. Results revealed that, DMI (288.39, 285.71, 293.48 and 301.35 g/day in group T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively), body weight gain (3.60, 3.74, 3.73 and 3.77 kg in group T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively), average daily gain (47.32, 49.16, 49.12 and 48.92 g in group T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively) and feed conversion ratio (6.2, 5.9, 6.0 and 6.1 in group T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively) of HBB kids were not differed significantly (P>0.05) for all the treatment groups. The DMI from roughages (196.2, 193.5, 201.3 and 209.2 g/day in group T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively) and CP intake (38.7, 42.1, 48.3 and 38.8 g/day in group T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively) were significantly varied (P<0.05), while highest CP intake was found in the treatment group T2. Forthnight body weight (g/day) was not significantly (P>0.05) gained with feeding of HYF for all the treatment groups. From this study, it can be concluded that, growing HBB kids could equally be supplied with either BLRI Napier 3 or BLRI Napier 4 or Ruzi fodder in addition to ad libitum cowpea hay for better voluntary feed intake and growth. Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 27 (1&2), 2020: P. 73-81

Nilai VFA dan NH3 Rumput Alam Padang Penggembalaan Kecamatan Haharu Kabupaten Sumba Timur

This study aims to determine the value of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia (NH3) of natural grass in grazing fields in vitro. The study used a direct survey method in the field. Natural grass was tested in vitro using Bali cattle rumen fluid. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive analysis based on the mean and standard deviation. Natural grass consisted of Heteropogon insignis, Bracharia decumbens, Bothriochloa ischaemum. The measurement of the value of VFA uses steam distillation, while the method of measuring the value of NH3 uses Conway micro diffusion. The results showed that Bracharia decumbens grass had a total VFA value of 74.48 mM and an NH3 value of 8.50 mM which was higher than Heteropogon insignis grass (total VFA 65.79 mM and NH3 6.67 mM), and Bothriochloa ischaemum grass (total VFA 60.64 mM and NH3 5.34 mM). The conclusion of this study was based on the value of VFA and NH3, Bracharia decumbens grass was a natural grass that may be cultivated for ruminants.

Pemberdayaan Peternak Perempuan Melalui Transfer Teknologi Pakan Komplit

Feed is still a major problem in the development of the livestock sub-sector. So far, farmers are still relying on animal feed needs from natural grass which causes low livestock productivity and limited livestock rearing capacity. To overcome these problems, the purpose of this community service activity is to provide training and assistance to female breeders to make complete feed and implement the use of complete feed for livestock. This training activity was carried out in Wanasaba Lauk Village, East Lombok Regency. Participants in the training activity were 15 female breeders under the Ridho Ilahi Center for Animal Husbandry. The method used in this study is the delivery of materials and the practice of making complete feeds. The training activity was carried out for 2 days and assistance for the application of complete feed technology was carried out for 3 months. The result of this training is that female farmers gain knowledge and skills in producing complete feed and in terms of capacity calculations, breeders are able to maintain a minimum of 5 heads of livestock which previously was only a maximum of 2 heads. Then in terms of productivity, average daily gain (ADG) of livestock reached 0.42 Kg/day.

Pola penyediaan dan rantai pasok pakan serat pada musim kemarau di peternakan rakyat sapi perah, Lembang, Kabupaten Bandung Barat

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to explore and understand the source of fiber feed that is commonly used, and analyze the activities of fiber feed provision in dairy farms during the dry season, and investigate the fiber feed supply chain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This research was conducted on rural dairy farms in the Sub-district of Lembang located in West Bandung District. The data was collected by adopting an interview method with 50 farmers implements a purposive sampling technique to gather information regarding the provision pattern, supply chain of respective fibre feed. Samples of fiber feed in the dairy farms were taken using a simple random sampling technique. The data acquired is analyzed using descriptive analysis; these data consist of nutrient content of the fiber feed, provision pattern during the dry season, and the supply chain map of those fiber feed provisions.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The result reveals that the fiber feed that has been given to the dairy cows was cultivated grass, natural grass, legumes, and plant residue that entirely supplied from neighborhood area (≤ 30 km), which has different nutrient content. There are 16 provision patterns of fibre feed in the dry season, the vast majority of provision pattern was the combination of foraging from the farmer’s land and feed purchasing. By referring to the RFV calculations, legumes and vegetable waste have good quality. The fibre feed supply chain is relatively short, which is about (1-4 actors) due to its freshness and required no processing.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In conclusions, the fibre feed that has been given to the dairy cows was cultivated grass, natural grass, legumes, and plant residue. There are 16 provision patterns of fibre feed in the dry season. The fibre feed supply chain is relatively short.</p>