International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports (IJPEFS)
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Covid-19 and Social Distancing of the Elderly: The Importance of Physical Exercise
Full text linkThe infectious disease COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), appeared at the end of 2019 in China, and spread rapidly throughout the world in the first months of 2020. The elderly or anyone with chronic illnesses such as obesity, high blood pressure, lung disease and diabetes, are considered part of the risk group. Health authorities around the world began to adopt and encouraged behaviors to mitigate the risk of transmission, such as washing hands frequently with soap and water, making social distancing, and staying at home if possible, in order to minimize the infection and thereby relieve the health systems and reduce the number of fatalities. In this review, we discuss the possible effects of social distancing on the health of the elderly and describe different strategies of physical exercise to be performed during the pandemic of COVID-19. Aerobic training, strength training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are effective for improving immune functions, autonomy, functional independence, and mental health in the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, physical exercise programs must be planned, adapted, and controlled based on the individual capabilities of the elderly, and remotely guided by professionals trained in the prescription of physical exercise. It is necessary that the general population, and especially the elderly, be continuously informed, protected, and oriented about the benefits and the importance of physical exercise practice during the social distancing caused by the pandemic of COVID-19
Technology consideration in tennis umpiring: replacing the humans
Full text linkNew technologies step into sports refereeing, officiating, or umpiring. This technology can assist humans to avoid blunders or errors. However, in tennis, this technology now starts to replace humans, i.e. the line umpires. In this letter, we try to provide insight into potential problems, that this technology brings, but also we try to provide its benefits. We offer considerations from the umpire (human) view. It is not very clear and we consider it still in a grey zone, what are the next best steps, even though it seems that the new technology implementation is unavoidable. In this letter, we focus on tennis line umpires, because technology is replacing them now. Therefore, would like to encourage and call for more research on this currently hot topic
Hand Grip Strength in Students: Differences in the Gender Dimorphism
Full text linkThe hands are anatomically specialized for manipulative tasks with different physical objects, where they can cope with certain loads with different forces and intensity. During various physical and sports activities, the hands produce the appropriate muscular force for gripping, which manifests as the hand grip's force. For this reason, hand grip strength (HGS) is recognized as a limiting factor in all manipulative activities performed by the cranial part of the body. The current research included a sample of 22 subjects, 16 male Body Height (BH=180.28±4.65cm); Body Weight (BW=80.05±9.96kg), Body Mass Index (BMI=24.61±2.74kg/m²) and 6 female subjects Body Height (BH=167.42±11.11cm); Body Weight (BW=64.80±10.09kg); Body Mass Index (BMI=23.02±1.57kg/m²) on the third year of study at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports. This study aimed to determine the maximum isometric muscle force of the handgrip and differences between the same gender of students. A t-test for small samples was applied for data processing, and the relevant statistical parameters were calculated. The obtained t-test results confirmed statistically significant differences between the so-called dominant and non-dominant hands in male subjects (t=4.158; p<0.05) and female subjects (t=3.176; p<0.05). The obtained results of this research will be used for analytical and diagnostic purposes with a wide range of activities in the population of physical education and sports students (assessment of physical ability, trends, and tendencies to monitor and change abilities, influence on the implementation of certain curricula of some subjects studied at the faculty, etc.)
Improving Students’ Oral Communication Skills Through an Interdisciplinary Problem-Based Learning Opportunity in a Sport Management Course
Full text linkThis study adopted several pedagogical foundations to determine if an interdisciplinary, problem-based learning (PBL) opportunity applied to teaching sport marketing would improve student’ individual and group oral communication skills. Faculty from two departments collaborated to create an assignment that was a hands-on class project designed around formative assessment, lecture intervention, and final PBL deliverable. The PBL and interdisciplinary design addressed the need for enhanced communication skills in the sport management industry. The study results indicate a successful development of the students’ data analysis and presentation skills. Findings confirm an interdisciplinary approach to PBL by implementing communication skill development across disciplines
Changes in Exercise Habits of University Students During the Covid-19 Lockdown
Full text linkThe purpose of this investigation was to investigate how the exercise habits of college students changed during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Data were collected via an online survey distributed through the University of Southern Maine student email distribution list. All current university students were invited to participate in the survey starting in February 2021 through March 2021. The study included a questionnaire designed to capture the exercise habits of university students three months before the lockdown of COVID-19 (January – March 2020) and their exercise habits after a lockdown in (February - April 2021). The survey questions were based on the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) physical activity guidelines to analyze the participant's exercise habits. The participants showed a decrease in the exercise along with an increase in weekly sitting time. Before COVID-19, 21.8% of participants were sitting >35 hours per week. After the COVID-19 lockdown, 50.45% of participants were sitting >35 hours per week. The results of this study could be used for further research to promote an increase in exercise at home. With the uncertainty of the pandemic, motivating people to stand and walk more could be the first step in breaking the increase in sitting habits and help to increase exercise habits. The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed imposed many restrictions on our daily routines, but it could also guide us to new approaches for prescribing exercise programs in the future
Ankle complex musculature adaptations after Energy Drinks consumption in healthy young adult
Full text linkOver the past few years, energy drink consumption has increased among students aged 18–34 years. Energy drinks alter the balance, reduce blood flow and interfere with neuromuscular activation in the lower extremities. We attempted to determine which specific additive of three different drinks (red bull, rockstar, and bang) could contribute to changes in muscle activation of the ankle complex. Twenty healthy young adults aged 22–28 years were included in this study and allocated among 3 groups, red bull, rockstar, and bang. Neuromuscular data were obtained from EMG sensors positioned on the anterior tibialis and gastrocnemius before completing the four balance tasks. Each participant completed all the tasks before and after the 16-ounce Edrink. ANOVA was performed to compare the data before and after the beverage. Statistical significance was set at P <0.05. A trend was observed in red bull and bang groups revealing a faster anterior tibial activity and prolong activation for gastrocnemius. The rockstar group also showed a more rapid activation trend and shorter response during all tasks for the gastrocnemius. It appears that the additives found in Redbull and Bang produce an increased posterior sway, indicated by the faster activity observed on the anterior tibial muscle. On the other hand, the elements encountered in rockstars provoke anterior movements, creating the need for a quicker response from the gastrocnemius muscle. Further research is required to explore certain energy drink ingredients' effects on dynamic activities such as walking
Biomechanics of running: An overview on gait cycle
Full text linkThis review article summarized the literature regarding running gait. It describes characteristics of running gait and running gait cycle, explains running anatomy in relation to lower and upper body mechanism; contribution of muscles, and joint running gait cycle. The concept of running kinematics and kinetics has described motion characteristics such as position, velocity, acceleration, and force applied during the running cycle. Running gait analysis techniques has discussed such as motion analysis, force plate analysis, and electromyography
Effects of a Virtual Physical Activity Program within the Context of Social Distancing During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Full text linkTo determine the effects of a virtual physical activity (PA) program in college students during social distancing due to COVID-19. 44 college students, male and female. Methods: Participants completed self-reported measures of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, weekly PA, and a short-survey of the educational experience during social distancing. Participants completed the instruments at baseline and after 10-weeks of an on-line virtual PA program. Increased overall PA (p = 0.040) and transportation PA (p = 0.004), leisure-time PA (p = 0.031) domains increased following the program. The sitting time increased following the intervention (p = 0.0001). Students who failed to comply with at least 150 min/week of PA reduced the frequency of positive emotions compared to those who complied (p = 0.017). Social distancing and daily college tasks seem to lessen the effect of PA on sedentary behavior in college students regardless of an increase in PA
Multiple Sclerosis: Improving Quality of Life with Yoga
Full text linkAdaptive personal fitness and training classes are becoming more available in society. Incorporating modified classes allows for greater inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Personal fitness classes increase over health, muscle strength and decreases mental stressors. Unfortunately, personal trainers are taught modification for injuries, obesity, joint problems and not typically disabilities. Adhering toward generalized public and as inclusive towards individuals with disabilities. This leads to lack of knowledge in allowing individuals specifically with multiple sclerosis into training classes due to not knowing how to work with this specific disability. The purpose of this article is to describe what multiple sclerosis is and how yoga can be beneficial in enhancing everyday life and decreasing fatigue in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
The Differences of Technical Elements between European National Volleyball Men and Women Teams and Their Impact in Predicting the Match Winners
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to identify the technical volleyball elements participating and contributing to the victory in the qualifying matches for the 2021 CEV European Men's and Women's Championship and lead to the best scoring position and qualification to the final stage. The sample consisted of the matches of the 8 teams (4 Men and 4 Women) who participated in the qualifying matches for the European Men's and Women's Championships Confédération Européenne de Volleyball (CEV) 2021. The data was analyzed using the official software of the European Confederation (CEV) (Data Volley 2 Professional). The data was then further analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 statistical package with the help of descriptive statistical analysis. Statistically significant differences were found between the teams that won and qualified for the European Championship of CEV 2021 in ‘‘reception error’’ and ‘‘attack error’’ and between the men's and women's volleyball teams in service error attack points. In addition, based on the results of this study, all coaches should focus and organize training with exercises related to these technical skills that lead to victory and qualification to improve the ability of their players to win the matches