Abstract: This study links up the theories of social psychology,
economics and sport management to assess the impact of sport
participation on subjective well-being (SWB) and use a simple statistic
method to estimate the relative monetary value that sport participation
derives SWB for Taiwan-s college students. By constructing proper
measurements on sport participation and SWB respectively, a
structural equation model (SEM) is developed to perform a
confirmatory factory analysis, and the causal relationship between
sport participation and SWB as well as the effect of the demographic
variables on these two concepts are also discussed.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of breaststroke swimming exercise to improving the peak expiratory flow. Methode: This study used 17 students of men aged 19-21 years, APE values measured before and after the study. Style swimming workout done in accordance with a program that has been made. Result: Value of peak expiratory flow in male students obtained on average before exercise (530 ± 15 811) liters / min and after doing the exercises (540.59 ± 17 092) liters / minute. Paired ttest showed t = -6.446 and p = 0.000, which means there are differences in peak expiratory flow values before and after exercise swimming breaststroke. Conclusion: The conclusion is the breaststroke swimming exercise can be improving of peak expiratory flow.
Abstract: The 15-a-side Fiji rugby team trains well in preparations for any rugby competition but rarely performs to expectations. In order to help the Fiji local based rugby players to identify some key basic areas in improving their performance, a series of workshops were conducted to assess their nutritional status and dietary habits in relation to energy demand during rugby matches. The nutrition workshop included the administration of questionnaires to 19 local based rugby players, requesting the following information: usual food intakes, training camp food intakes, carbohydrate loading, pre-game meals and post-game meals. The study revealed that poor eating habits of the players resulted in the low carbohydrate intake, which may have contributed to increase levels of fatigue leading to loss of stamina even before the second half of the game. It appears that the diet of most 15-a-side players does not provide enough energy to enable them to last the full eightyminutes of the game.
Abstract: The evaluation of the contribution of professional
baseball starting pitchers is a complex decision-making problem that
includes several quantitative attributes. It is considered a type of
multi-attribute or multi-criteria decision making (MADM/MCDM)
problem. This study proposes a model using the Grey Relational
Analysis (GRA) to evaluate the starting pitcher contribution for teams
of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. The GRA calculates the
individual grey relational degree of each alternative to the positive
ideal alternative. An empirical analysis was conducted to show the use
of the model for the starting pitcher contribution problem. The results
demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed model.
Abstract: The rotation of starting pitchers is a strategic issue
which has a significant impact on the performance of a professional
team. Choosing an optimal starting pitcher from among many
alternatives is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. In
this study, a model using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and
Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to the Ideal Solution
(TOPSIS) is proposed with which to arrange the starting pitcher
rotation for teams of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. The
AHP is used to analyze the structure of the starting pitcher selection
problem and to determine the weights of the criteria, while the
TOPSIS method is used to make the final ranking. An empirical
analysis is conducted to illustrate the utilization of the model for the
starting pitcher rotation problem. The results demonstrate the
effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed model.
Abstract: Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have been used successfully in many scientific, industrial and business domains as a method for extracting knowledge from vast amounts of data. However the use of ANN techniques in the sporting domain has been limited. In professional sport, data is stored on many aspects of teams, games, training and players. Sporting organisations have begun to realise that there is a wealth of untapped knowledge contained in the data and there is great interest in techniques to utilise this data. This study will use player data from the elite Australian Football League (AFL) competition to train and test ANNs with the aim to predict the onset of injuries. The results demonstrate that an accuracy of 82.9% was achieved by the ANNs’ predictions across all examples with 94.5% of all injuries correctly predicted. These initial findings suggest that ANNs may have the potential to assist sporting clubs in the prediction of injuries.
Abstract: The physiological effects of physical exercise on
human body are relatively well known in literature, which describes
in detail the changes that occur in the cardiovascular system, the
respiratory one, in bones and other systems, both during exercise
and after its delivery. However, the effects of exercise on mental
processes are less treated. From the literature reviews discussed in
this study, it can be detached the idea that we can not exactly say that
physical exercise has beneficial effects on mental processes, but
neither that it would have potentially negative effects. This
uncertainty, reflected in the inability to indicate precise and
unequivocal meaning, favorable-unfavorable physical effort in acting
on mental processes, is a prime reason to undertake a study of the
phenomenon influence effort administered physical education classes
on the dynamics of mental processes like attention and memory.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preexercise glycerol hyperhydration on endurance performance in a heat chamber designed to simulate the World Championship Distance (WCD) duathlon (10km run, 40km ride, 5 km run). Duathlons are often performed in hot and humid conditions and as a result hydration is a major issue. Glycerol enhances the body’s capacity for fluid retention by inducing hyperhydration, which is theorized to improve thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses, and thereby improve performance. Six well-trained athletes completed the testing protocol in a heat chamber at the La Trobe University Exercise Physiology Laboratory. Each testing session was approximately 4.5 hours in duration (2 hours of pre-exercise glycerol hyper-hydration followed by approximately 2.5 hours of exercise). The results showed an increased water retention pre-exercise and an improved overall performance of 2.04% was achieved by subjects ingesting the glycerol solution.
Abstract: The understanding of knee movement during swing
importance for golf swing improving and preventing injury. Thirty
male professional and amateur golfers were assigned to swing time
by time for 3 times. Data from a vedio-based motion capture were
used to compute knee joint movement variables. The results showed
that professional and amateur golfers were significantly in left knee
flexion angle at the impact point and mid follow through phase.
Nevertheless, left knee external rotation in both groups was also
significant. The right knee were no significant different in all
variable. However, pattern of knee joint movement are also likely
between professional and amateur golfers.
Abstract: The performance results of the athletes competed in
the 1988-2008 Olympic Games were analyzed (n = 166). The data
were obtained from the IAAF official protocols. In the principal
component analysis, the first three principal components explained
70% of the total variance. In the 1st principal component (with
43.1% of total variance explained) the largest factor loadings were
for 100m (0.89), 400m (0.81), 110m hurdle run (0.76), and long jump
(–0.72). This factor can be interpreted as the 'sprinting performance'.
The loadings on the 2nd factor (15.3% of the total variance)
presented a counter-intuitive throwing-jumping combination: the
highest loadings were for throwing events (javelin throwing 0.76;
shot put 0.74; and discus throwing 0.73) and also for jumping events
(high jump 0.62; pole vaulting 0.58). On the 3rd factor (11.6% of
total variance), the largest loading was for 1500 m running (0.88); all
other loadings were below 0.4.
Abstract: Whilst there is growing evidence that activity across
the lifespan is beneficial for improved health, there are also many
changes involved with the aging process and subsequently the
potential for reduced indices of health. The nexus between all forms
of health, physical activity and aging is complex and has raised much
interest in recent times due to the realization that a multifaceted
approached is necessary in order to counteract a growing obesity
epidemic. By investigating age based trends within a population
adherring to competitive sport at older ages, further insight might be
gleaned to assist in understanding one of many factors influencing
this relationship. This study evaluated those sport psychological
constructs of health, physical fitness, mental health states, and social
dimension factors in sport that were associated with factors to
participate in sport and physical activity based on responses from the
2009 World Masters Games in Sydney. The sample consisted of
7846 athletes who competed at the games and who completed a 56
item sports participation survey using a 7-point Likert response (1 -
not important to 7 - very important). Questions focuses on factors
thought to promote participation, such as weight control, living
longer, improving mental health (self-esteem, mood states),
improving physical health and factors related to the athlete-s
competitive perspective. The most significant factors related to
participation with this cohort of masters athletes were the socializing
environment of sport, getting physically fit and improving
competitive personal best performances. Strategies to increase
participation in masters sport should focus on these factors as other
factors such as weight loss, improving mental health and living
longer were not identified as important determinates of sports
participation at the World Masters level.
Abstract: In sport, human resources management gives special
attention to method of applying volunteers, their maintenance, and
participation of volunteers with each other and management
approaches for better operation of events celebrants. The recognition
of volunteers- characteristics and motives is important to notice,
because it makes the basis of their participation and commitment at
sport environment. The motivation and commitment of 281
volunteers were assessed using the organizational commitment scale,
motivation scale and personal characteristics questionnaire.The
descriptive results showed that; 64% of volunteers were women with
age average 21/24 years old. They were physical education student,
single (71/9%), without occupation (53%) and with average of 5
years sport experience. Their most important motivation was career
factor and the most important commitment factor was normative
factor. The results of examining the hypothesized showed that; age,
sport experience and education are effective in the amount of
volunteers- commitment. And the motive factors such as career,
material, purposive and protective factors also have the power to
predict the amount of sports volunteers- commitment value.
Therefore it is recommended to provide possible opportunities for
volunteers and carrying out appropriate instructional courses by
events executive managers.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility of a minute incremental exercise testing protocol in young asthma children. Twenty-two children with clinically diagnosed mild to moderate asthma volunteered to participate. The maximum incremental exercise test was performed using a cycle ergometer with an electromagnetic braking. A warm-up unloaded for 2 minutes then the workload was started at 40 watts for 2 minutes, and then stepwise increments of 8 watts per 2 minutes were applied. The pedaling frequency was set at 50 rpm. Ventilation and gas exchange were measured with a breath-by-breath automatic metabolic measurement system. Results showed that this test was well tolerated by all asthmatic children. Most of the children reached the VO2 plateau and satisfied the criteria for maximal respiratory exchange ratio of ≥ 1. This Study demonstrated that this testing protocol was suitable for young asthmatic children.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse the most
important parameters determining the quality of the motion structure
of the basic classical dance jump – grand jeté.Research sample
consisted of 8 students of the Dance Conservatory in Brno. Using the
system Simi motion we performed a 3D kinematic analysis of the
jump. On the basis of the comparison of structure quality and
measured data of the grand jeté, we defined the optimal values of the
relevant parameters determining the quality of the performance. The
take-off speed should achieve about 2.4 m·s-1, the optimum take-off
angle is 28 - 30º. The take-off leg should swing backward at the
beginning of the flight phase with the minimum speed of 3.3 m·s-1.If
motor abilities of dancers achieve the level necessary for optimal
performance of a classical dance jump, there is room for certain
variability of the structure of the dance jump.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to analyze and
distinguish playing pattern between winning and losing field hockey
team in Delhi 2012 tournament. The playing pattern is focus to the D
penetration (right, center, left.) and to distinguish D penetration
linking to end shot made from it. The data was recorded and analyzed
using Sportscode elite computer software. 12 matches were analyzed
from the tournament. Two groups of performance indicators are used
to analyze, that is D penetration right, center, and left. The type of
shot chosen is hit, push, flick, drag, drag flick, deflect sweep, deflect
push, scoop, sweep, and reverse hit. This is to distinguish the pattern
of play between winning and losing, only 2 performance indicator
showed high significant differences from right (Z=-2.87, p=.004,
p
Abstract: The contribution deals with problem of take-off phase of back somersault with twisting with various numbers of twists along longitudinal body axis. The aim was to evaluate the changes in angles during transition phase from back handspring to back somersault using 3D kinematic analysis of the somersaults. We used Simi Motion System for the 3D kinematic analysis of the observed gymnastic element performed by Czech Republic female representative and 2008 Summer Olympic Games participant. The results showed that the higher the number of twists, the smaller the touchdown angle in which the gymnasts lands on the pad in the beginning of take-off phase. In back somersault with one twist (180°) the average angle is 54°, in 1080° back somersault the average angle is 45.9°. These results may help to improve technical training of sports gymnasts.
Abstract: Supplement use is common in athletes. Besides their cost, they may have side effects on health and performance. 250 questionnaires were distributed among female athletes (mean age 27.08 years). The questionnaire aimed to explore the frequency, type, believes, attitudes and knowledge regarding dietary supplements. Knowledge was good in 30.3%, fair in 60.2%, and poor in 9.1% of respondents. 65.3% of athletes did not use supplements regularly. The most widely used supplements were vitamins (48.4%), minerals (42.9%), energy supplements (21.3%), and herbals (20.9%). 68.9% of athletes believed in their efficacy. 34.4% experienced performance enhancement and 6.8% of reported side effects. 68.2% reported little knowledge and 60.9% were eager to learn more. In conclusion, many of the female athletes believe in the efficacy of supplements and think they are an unavoidable part of competitive sports. However, their information is not sufficient. We have to stress on education, consulting sessions, and rational prescription.
Abstract: The research was designed to examine the relationship
between the development of muscle fatigue and the effect it has on
sport performance, specifically during maximal voluntary
contraction. This kind of this investigation using simultaneous
electrophysiological and mechanical recordings, based on advanced
mathematical processing, allows us to get parameters, and indexes in
a short time, and finally, the mapping to use for the thorough
investigation of the muscle contraction force, respectively the
phenomenon of local muscle fatigue, both for athletes and other
subjects.
Abstract: The contribution deals with influence of strength abilities on quality of performance of static balance movement structure – handstand. To test the strength abilities we selected following tests: number of push-ups per minute and persistence in trunk backward bend in sitting position. We tested the dependent variable by three tests – persistence in handstand position on a stabilometric platform, persistence in handstand position and evaluation of quality of handstand performance. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to formulate the relationship between variables. The results showed a statistically significant dependence using which we deduced conclusions for training practice.
Abstract: The aim of the contribution is to project and consequently verify a testing battery which in practice would facilitate the selection of talented gymnasts for current concept of men´ s gymnastics. Based on study of professional literature a test array consisting of three parts projected – power testing, speed testing and flexibility testing– was projected. The evaluating scales used in the tests are standardized. This test array was applied to girls aged 6 - 7 during recruitment for Sokol Brno I. and SG Pelhrimov Gymnastic Club. After 6 months of training activity the projected set of tests was applied again. The results were evaluated through observation and questionnaire and they were consequently transformed into charts. Recommendation for practice was proposed based on these results.