Analysis of China-Pakistan Leisure Sports Industry under the Background of "The Belt and Road"

Scholars stress the importance of leisure sports activities for a healthy body and mind. There is a positive correlation between socioeconomic uplift and leisure sports activities. China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project under the “The Belt and Road” initiative led by the Chines government, with pouring in of huge investment centered around CPEC. It is hoped that it would have positively affected leisure sports activities. Relying on qualitative and quantitative data, the study analyzed the impact of CPEC on leisure sports activities. The findings suggest the positive impact of CPEC on leisure activities. These activities were facilitated with the provision of sports facilities, infrastructure development, economic uplift, and cultural influence.

Awareness of Sport Massage Therapy among University Level Football Players in Pakistan

Sports massage is very common among the athletes of developed nations. Since many of studies have been conducted and revealed positive benefits of Sports massage (SMT). The results of different studies show that it improves health, enhance immunity, speedy recovery after an injury, and after intensive training. This study is aimed to investigate the knowledge of university level athletes in Pakistan about the concept of Sport Massage Therapy (SMT). 125 participants were participated in this study, the sample was selected using convenient sampling technique and data was gathered using sport massage questionnaire developed by Lloyd Leach and Mignon Schilz. The results show that there is very little awareness and knowledge about Sport Massage Therapy among the University Football Players. The results of this study also indicate athletes perceive that sport massage helpful in rehabilitation and just an event of enjoyment. It was concluded on basis of results that athlete have very little knowledge about the role of sport massage in Sport Performance.

Impact of Positive Reinforcement Theory on Weightlifter’s Performance

A common problem was observed at local level weightlifting clubs in Lahore, Pakistan i.e., coaches use inappropriate ways (shouting and abusing) to get desired performance results but, it ends in young weightlifter’s resentment and take them away from their sport targets and some choose to quit weightlifting sport as well. The existing literature about acquiring desired results in sports suggests; only positive approach can be useful i.e., Positive Reinforcement Theory ‘PRT’ developed by B F Skinner (Marzieh Gordan, 2014). Hence, in this applied deductive type quantitative study, an eight-week experiment was conducted in Lahore which tested the implications of Positive Reinforcement Theory on young weightlifters’ performance. The objectives of this study were; (a) to apply Positive Reinforcement Theory in weightlifting sport to examine the cause-and-effect relationship between positive reinforcement and young weightlifter’s performance, (b) to test if the study’s Positive Reinforcement Program ‘PRP’ model helps young weightlifters to achieve desired targets within given timeframe or not? At first, pre-competition was administered to record standard performance results of both groups. Secondly, ‘PRP’ Model based on ‘PRT’ was introduced to experimental group and then post-competition testing was conducted to record and compare performance results of both groups. The results of both groups’ Paired Sample t-test and Independent Sample t-test, using statistical package SPSS version 23, showed a significant impact of ‘PRP’ model on the young weightlifter’s performance. Therefore, it is concluded that; acquisition of young weightlifters’ desired performance results. Coaches should use ‘PRP’ model rather than applying inappropriate ways to motivate young weightlifters. The PRP model also helps young weightlifters to achieve their targeted performance results within given timeframe.

Relationship between Coaches' Leadership Style and Athletes' Performance in Kwara State Sports Council

Leadership in coaching is a critical component to enhance and sustain optimal sports performance and athletes’ satisfaction. This study investigated the influence of coaches' leadership styles on athletes’ performance in Kwara State Sports Council. Descriptive survey design of correlational type was employed. The sample of the study comprised 150 athletes selected using simple random and proportionate sampling techniques. Standardized questionnaire (Leadership Scale for Sports) was the instrument for data collection. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) statistic was used to analyze the data. The findings of the study revealed that training behavior, autocratic behavior, democratic behavior, social support, and rewarding behavior of the coach have significant influence on athletes' performance in the study area. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the management of Kwara State Sports Council should establish a mechanism for positive feedback and social support to foster good leadership behaviour to assist in enhancing athletes' performance.

Coaching Strategies and Sports Performance of Female Athletes

The measurement of perceptions of female athletes about coaching strategies and their effect on athlete satisfaction and sport performance is vital for success. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between perceived coaching strategies during training and self-reported satisfaction of athletes and their sport performance. A total number of 120 female athletes of individual and team sports from seven different universities of Lahore, Pakistan participated in this study. Three different scales were used to measure participant responses relative to strategic thinking, leadership and flow. Results indicated that female athletes Scale for Athletic Performance. The results indicated that female athletes of individual and team sports were satisfied with their coaches’ coaching strategies (p=0.001) and a significant relationship between coaches’ coaching strategies and sporting performance was also reported by female athletes (p=0.001). A significantly positive relationship was observed between problem solving strategies and sports performance of female athletes (p=0.000), no significant association between team building and sports performance was observed (p=0.812), and a significantly positive relationship was observed between leadership and sports performance of female athletes (p=0.000). Based upon results, coaches' problem solving and leadership skills were significantly associated with sport performance as compared to team building. It is recommended that additional research be conducted using different age groups and males to determine a more definitive perspective related to athlete perceptions.

Pattern of Facebook Usage and its Impacts on Physical Activity

Objectives: The study was to find out the relationship between Facebook usage and participation in physical activities. Methods: During the year 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 identified students from 5000 in the faculty of Allied Health Science at the University of Lahore, Pakistan. According to this survey use the technique of convenience sampling, after the formula of sampling by Yamane (1967). All of the questioners of the independent and the dependent variable are used for the measure Facebook addiction of the participation in physical activity. Results: Demographic data male participation 134 (53.6%) and 116 (46%) females in this study. The relationship among variables is .11, which is significant at p> .001. This result shows that there is a greater than a 0.1% chance that the independent variable (F.B) affects participation in the physical activity. The study reveals the limited benefits excessive use of Facebook is a little effect on participation in physical activity. Conclusion: As per this result, the limited benefits excessive use of Facebook is a little effect on participation in physical activity; another aspect may be an effect on the participation on the physical activity like social, educational, behavioral and economic, etc.

Effect of Playing Venue on Hormonal Responses and Psychological State of Inter-University Volleyball Players

The home advantage is a powerful wonder that happens in the realm of amateur and professional games where most teams win more than 50% of matches. The present study compared the effects of playing venue on hormonal responses and psychological state of inter-university volleyball players at home and away ground. A total of 96 male players age, 18 to 24 years from eight different public and private universities were selected as the subject in this study. Matches were scheduled in such a manner so that each team would play one match on home ground and one on away ground. The results of this study showed that a 13% reduction in the testosterone level of players was seen on the opponent’s home ground before playing the match, whereas, 18% elevation in cortisol level of players was recorded on the opponent’s home ground before-match. Psychological measures indicated that players’ cognitive and somatic anxiety levels were increased on away ground (10% and 13%, respectively) whereas, their self-confidence level declined by 17% on an opponent’s home ground before the commencement of the match. The present study supports the notion that there are differences in pre-competition hormonal and psychological states that may play a key role in ‘the home advantage’ which could affect players’ behavior and match outcomes.

The Effect of Circuit Resistant Training on Cardiorespiratory indices; Implication for Developing a Test Model for Soccer Players of Higher Education Institutions

The current research aimed to incorporate appropriate circuit resistant training protocol in the current literature and device that could help improve cardio-respiratory endurance of soccer players. A pre-test and post-test longitudinal research format was applied because the suggested parameters of cardiorespiratory endurance were appropriately calculated by such research designs. A sample of (n=40) healthy volunteers equally distributed into two different groups namely, an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The circuit resistant training (CRT) 3 times per week with specified intensity, repetition, set and rest period continued for 06 weeks among experimental group. Results of the analyzed data revealed a significant increase in the cardiorespiratory indices (CO, SV, IRV, ERV) among the participants of experimental group (p < .05). These results tend to interpret that cardiorespiratory fitness of soccer’s players can be improved with the help of 06 week (CRT) program. Apart from this, health and physical education teachers, physiotherapists and other relevant persons can recommend CRT for lifestyles improvement.

A Model Football Academy for residents of Lyari Town, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

This paper reviews and analyzes factors contributing to the rise and the fall of football game in Lyari Town. This town has the passion and the talent for football, which should be groomed to produce international players. A model football academy on the pattern of Grêmio (Brazil), Altınordu (Turkey), La Masia (Spain) and INF Clairefontaine (France) is proposed with football- oriented curriculum and international-level-football-training facilities on a green campus. The players are to be inducted at the age of 5 years after rigorous psychological and physical examinations as well as fitness testing. They study and play football here till they pass their Higher Secondary Certificate Examination. Measures are suggested for safety and security at campus as well as use and abuse of controlled substances. A survey was conducted to obtain opinions of footballers, coaches and general public in order to determine causes of decline of football in Lyari. The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts — lack of physical resources, noises influencing football game and shortage of human resources. The responses were indicative of the community‟s strong feeling that Lyarites can become international- standard footballers, if they are given the infrastructure and the facilities combined with motivation to achieve distinction. The proposed football academy should be the first step to change mindset of Lyarities from indulging in drugs and crime to healthy sport activities.

The Relationship of Sports and Physical Activity to the Academic Achievement- A Case of Hearing-Impaired Children

Sports and physical activity is not only important for normal children but it is equally essential for the children with physical disabilities. Effective sports participation of children with hearing deficits has physical, mental, intellectual as well as societal benefits. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of sports participation on academic achievement of hearing impaired children. For this purpose, a total of children were selected, divided into groups on the basis of comparative experimental design. Half of the sample was assigned to control group including those students who did not participate in sports whereas, other half was assigned to experimental group including those children who participated in sports activity including Badminton, Football and Volleyball. After pretest and post test data was collected with the help of Sports Participation Scale and Academic Performance rating scale. The overall reliability of the scale was found to be. Results indicated that there was a significant positive impact of sports participation on the academic achievement from to with betterment level of . According to these results we can conclude that sports participation creates a positive impact on academic achievement of Hearing-impaired students.