A randomized ‘just-in-time’ prompt to interrupt prolonged sitting at two international conferences held in two countries

Prolonged sitting has a detrimental effect on lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity leading to increased risks of metabolic conditions. Attendees at conferences typically sit for long periods during oral presentations. The use of visual cues or ‘just-in-time’ prompts during oral presentations can inform audiences about the deleterious effects of prolonged sitting and encourage them to avoid sitting for long periods. It remains largely unclear whether these ‘just-prompts used in a conference setting are effective in reducing prolonged sitting. The ‘just-in-time’ prompts were used in two separate conference audiences- one focused on health and the other on language. Ten sessions were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EXPT, with the JIT prompt) and ten sessions to the control group (CON, without the JIT prompt). In both conferences, the proportion of the attendees who chose not to sit during the oral presentations in the EXPT conditions was less than 10%. The main finding was that the use of the JIT prompt to discourage sitting at the health conference where attendees were likely to be knowledgeable about the dangers of prolonged sitting was ineffective (EXPT vs CON conditions, p>0.05; ES=0.69) compared to conference attendees at a language conference (EXPT vs CON conditions, p<0.05, ES=1.14).

Pre-participation evaluation of Malaysian university athletes – the importance of cardiovascular screening

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest and death (SCA/D) remains the leading cause of mortality among athletes. Contemporary standards of identifying normal physiological cardiac adaptations and remodeling from regular athletic training based on certain ECG morphology have been clearly defined by the ‘Seattle Criteria’ in 2012, with an updated ‘International Consensus’ in 2017. In heterogenous Asia, regional SCA/D preponderance data is still lacking. This study aims to report on the detection of potentially dangerous cardiovascular conditions in Malaysian university athletes via pre-participation evaluation.Methods: 176 Malaysian athletes competing in the 18th ASEAN University Games 2016 were requested to attend a centralised pre-participation evaluation (PPE) prior to the games. The PPE included history, physical examination and a resting ECG. Participating sports and the corresponding number of athletes were athletics (40), basketball (26), football (24), silat (16), rugby (14), badminton (14), table tennis (12), shooting (12), fencing (10) and petanque (8).Results: 113 athletes (64.2%) attended and completed the PPE. The highest percentages of athletes screened were from shooting, fencing and petanque (100% respectively), whilst the lowest were from the basketball team (23.1%). Three abnormal ECGs were identified: a multiple premature ventricular contractions, an atrial tachyarrhythmia and a ventricular pre-excitation. These three athletes were referred for subsequent investigations of which two were allowed to return to play. The latter athlete was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and was advised against competing until definitive management was instituted. Conclusion: Only a fair number of Malaysian university athletes completed the medical screening, and hence are possibly unaware of the importance of PPE. Despite our small sample size, we picked up three cases requiring further investigation and interventional studies. No screening program provides absolute protection against death. Thus, more evidence-based research and constant update in best practice guidelines are vital to foster safe sports participation and ultimately reduce incidence of SCA/D in the athletic population. Athletes need to be aware and give full cooperation for PPE to ensure timely detection of high risk cardiovascular conditions especially those related to sudden death in sports.

The Effectiveness of Tablet-Based Application as a Medium for Feedback in Performance Analysis during a Competitive Match in Elite Soccer

Tablet based application (TBA) has been shown to be useful in evaluating soccer players’ performance. However, a study investigating the ability of the application as a medium for feedback is desirable. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of TBA as a medium for feedback in real time at half-time interim of a competitive match in improving the performance of soccer players. StatWatch application was installed on a tablet phone and used as a device for data collection. Eleven performance analysts were recruited to assist in the data collection such that each performance analysts covered a particular player during the game. Players Performances were assessed based on performance parameters relevant to the demand of the game. Data were collected as the game progressed, and information was transmitted to the controller of the analysis before being relayed to the chief coach at the half time interval of the match. Matches of the club for eight weeks were analysed. One-way repeated measure ANOVA was used to assess the progress of the team in between the first and second halves of the matches played. The result shows improvement on the performances of the club at the second halves of the eight matches played (F (1, 14.10) = 8.94, p < .05). A follow-up test demonstrates a significant progress on the overall team performance from week1 to week 8, p > 0.001. TBA appeared to be a useful medium for providing feedback at a first half interval of a competitive match for improving the performance of soccer players during the subsequent.

The Effectiveness of Traditional Games intervention program in the Improvement of Form One School-Age Children’s Motor Skills Related Performance Components

As children age, motor performance develops. Motor performance abilities enable children to process information in handling specific task efficiently. Although children develop motor skills in a variety of physical activities, it could be, however, easily achieved when they engage in voluntary activities in conformity with their interests. Traditional games offer the opportunity for children to play and officiate the rules without any constraint. The current study intends to explore the effectiveness of the traditional games intervention program in the improvement of form one school-age children’s motor skills related performance components. A total number of 40 form one Malaysian student [male (n=20) and female (n=20)] with age range of 12-13 selected randomly participated in the study. The quasi-experiment method was applied in the study and experiment group (n=40) went through traditional games intervention which consisted of performing selected traditional games for 60 minutes, three times weekly for eight weeks. The pre-test (before treatment), mid-test (week fourth) and post-test (week eight) data were collected and analysed using MANOVA repeated measure. The results indicate a significant improvement of motor performance through traditional games intervention [F (8, 29) = 1704.16, p < .05]. Follow-up tests also show that the traditional games intervention is a factor [F(12,105) =1.99, p < .05] to agility [F(3,36) = .50, p >.05], reaction time [F(3,36) = .51, p >.05], speed [F(3,36) = 3.64, p <.05] and balance [F(3,36) = .02, p > .05]. There is sufficient evidence to conclude that Malaysian based traditional games are effective in improving motor abilities of school-age children.

Anthropometric correlates of handgrip strength among Nigerian primary school pupils

Study aim: This study investigated the interdependence of anthropometrics with handgrip strength (HGS) among Nigerian primary school pupils. Materials and methods: A total of 200 primary school pupils participated in this study. Electronic handgrip dynamometer was used to measure HGS in kg, body height and body weight were measured with a wall–mounted stadiometer in meters and bathroom weighing scale in kg respectively. In addition, forearm circumference was measured at the largest part of the forearm and maximum hand width was taken for hand circumference. The relationship between HGS and anthropometric parameters was analyzed using Pearson’s product moment coefficient of correlation. Results: The outcome of this study showed that age correlated disproportionately but significantly (p < 0.05) with HGS. Also, body weight, BMI and handedness were found to associate proportionately and significantly with HGS. However, hand and forearm circumferences were observed to relate positively but insignificantly (p>0.05) with HGS. Conclusion: This study therefore concluded that the most important determinants of HGS among Nigerian primary school pupils are body weight, BMI and handedness and thus, could be considered as markers of nutritional and health status, as well as physical fitness of these individuals.

Effects of assistive force on the agonist and antagonist muscles in elbow flexion

This study investigated the responses of the agonist and antagonist muscles against assistive force during isometric muscle contraction. Participants performed isometric elbow flexion at 90º for 30 seconds under two workload conditions (20% and 40% of the maximal voluntary workload) with three levels of assistive force (0%, 50%, and 100% theoretical effectiveness) for 10 seconds. Electromyography (EMG) of the biceps (agonist muscle) and triceps (antagonist muscle) was measured during the task, and perceived exertion was obtained after the task. Assistive force significantly reduced EMG activity in the agonist muscle and the perceived exertion score only at 40% workload. However, the reduction of EMG activity and perceived exertion score were lower than that for the physical estimated effect. In addition, the EMG activity in the antagonist muscle was not influenced, irrespective of workload conditions and the level of assistive force. These results suggested that although the assistive force during isometric muscle contraction relieves exertion of the agonist muscle that accompanies the decrease in perceived exertion, their assistive effects are influenced by various human physiological and anatomical factors.

Comparing periodised protocols for the maintenance of strength and power in resistance-trained women

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of daily undulating periodisation (DUP) and session undulating periodisation (SUP) for maintaining strength and power over a 3-wk period in a group of resistance-trained women. DUP comprised one session each of strength and power training while DUP combined both strength and power training within each session. Both training programmes were equalised for training volume and intensity. Methods: Sixteen resistance-trained women were pre-tested for body mass, mid-arm and mid-thigh girths, one-repetition maximum (1 RM) dynamic squat (SQ) and bench press (BP), and power during countermovement jumps (CMJ) and bench press throws (BPT). The 1 RM SQ and BP data were used to assign the participants into groups for twice a week training. Results: A two-way (group x time) analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures for time found no significant changes in body mass, mid-arm girth, 1 RM BP and SQ, and BPT and CMJ power for both groups. However, significant changes in mid-thigh girth were found (F1, 13 = 5.733, p = 0.032). Pooled BP data indicated improved upper body strength (BP: F1, 13 = 6.346, p = 0.025) and decreased CMJ power (p = 0.016). Conclusions: Both DUP and SUP programmes increased upper-body strength and maintained lower-body strength adequately across a 3-wk phase probably because the participants were weaker in the upper-body and the lower-body had a reduced capacity for strength adaptations and improvements.

A Review of Maximizing Muscle Building Capabilities with Anabolic Enzymes

Building muscle at a rate faster than the human body would under normal circumstances is of great importance in skills and activities that require intense muscular effort. Although physical training stands as the backbone of muscle building, physiological variations make it an unfair yardstick in measuring individual efforts. Other methods of muscle building such as specialized nutrition and the use of digestive enzymes in breaking down proteins for quick absorption are also commonly used together with physical training. The use of anabolic substances however, has proved more successful than any of the aforementioned methods. Nevertheless, with it come ethical, legal and clinical issues especially in sports. In spite of this, athletes still find ways of circumventing test protocols which has been a major issue for the World Anti-Doping Agency .However, advancements in science have opened the doorway for anabolic enzymes which are the ultimate muscle growers to be more or less, directly manipulated. One method is gene doping which involves altering gene expressions. The future of muscle building lies on man’s ability to decisively alter the functioning of these enzymes directly.

Effects of a 12-week strength training on hand function of type ii diabetes mellitus patients

Study aim: The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of a 12-week strength training(ST) programme on hand function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in a tertiaryhealth institution in Benin-City. The findings of this study would help clinicians/clinical staff totake ST into consideration in the management of patients with T2DM thereby enhancing clinicaloutcome.Material and methods: This study was a pre-test, post-test control group design. A total of 36T2DM patients participated in the study. Handgrip and pinch strength were measured usingelectronic hand dynamometer (in kg) and mechanical pinch gauge (in kg) respectively prior toand following a 12-week ST programme. The amount of handgrip and pinch strength of bothhands generated by each participant was used as a quantitative measurement of the developmentof hand function. Data generated were analyzed using inferential statistics of one way analysisof variance (ANOVA) and the statistical significance was accepted for p value of &lt;0.05.Results: The findings of the study showed that ST programme had significant effects on handfunction of T2DM patients.Conclusion: It was concluded that ST programme can substantially enhance hand function ofpatients with T2DM. Therefore, ST programme should be considered a key element in themanagement of T2DM patients.

Perbandingan corak kesepaduan pasukan bola tampar lelaki dan wanita peringkat sekolah menengah daerah Larut Matang dan Selama

Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji perbandingan corak kesepaduan pasukan bola tampar lelaki dan wanita peringkat sekolah menengah daerah Larut Matang dan Selama. Seramai 192 orang pemain bola tampar (96 lelaki dan 96 wanita) dipilih secara bertujuan sebagai responden. Kajian ini berbentuk tinjauan kuantitatif dan instrumen kajian yang digunakan untuk mengenalpasti corak kesepaduan adalah Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ : Carron,Widmeyer, & Brawley,1985) yang mengandungi 18 item dan empat dimensi kesepaduan. Instrumen ini mengkaji corak kesepaduan pemain bola tampar lelaki dan wanita di peringkat suku akhir dan separuh akhir daerah Larut Matang Dan Selama. Data yang diperolehi dianalisis menggunakan ujian diskriptif dan ujian-t sampel tidak bersandar. Hasil kajian menunjukkan kesepaduan paling tinggi dalam kalangan pasukan yang menang di peringkat suku akhir dan separuh akhir berbanding dengan pasukan yang kalah. Dapatan menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan dalam kalangan pasukan yang menang di peringkat suku akhir. Namun tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan dalam kalangan pasukan lelaki dan wanita yang kalah dan menang di peringkat separuh akhir. Ini bermakna pasukan yang mempunyai perhubungan dan toleransi yang erat terhadap ahli pasukan mempunyai tahap kesepaduan yang tinggi. Oleh itu, pasukan tidak mempunyai minat terhadap ahli pasukan menyebabkan kesepaduan rendah serta pencapaian mereka tidak konsisten. Penyelidik menegaskan bahawa kesepaduan pasukan merupakan salah satu faktor yang penting dan jurulatih harus memberi penekanan terhadap kesepaduan pasukan sebelum, semasa dan selepas perlawanan bagi membentuk satu pasukan yang berprestasi tinggi pada masa akan datang.