International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports (IJPEFS)
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Could Nasal Breathing During Exercise Inhibit the Development of Cardiac Fibrosis and Arrhythmia Associated with Endurance Training? A Brief Literature Review with Theoretical Analysis
Full text linkThe increased incidence of myocardial scarring and atrial fibrillation in lifelong endurance athletes has been attributed to a dose-response relationship resulting from high-volume, high-intensity training carried out over the long term. However, this outcome is contradictory to and inconsistent with the well-established benefits of cardiovascular endurance training. In this short literature review along with theoretical analysis from previously published data, we propose that an athlete's breathing technique may play a role in this process. Based on current evidence, it is plausible that adapting to nasal-only breathing during exercise may be a viable strategy for endurance athletes to mitigate the relative hyperventilation created by breathing orally during exercise, and counter the conditions conducive to myocardial ischemia. Breathing nasally could increase myocardial blood flow at a given exercise intensity compared to breathing orally, with the most significant effects likely to occur at the highest intensities of exercise, and thereby prevent pathogenic myocardial changes. In particular, the higher pulmonary end-tidal carbon dioxide values seen while using nasal breathing during exercise suggest that arterial carbon dioxide may be relatively higher in the nasal breathing condition, thereby acting as a vasodilator to increase myocardial perfusion. Consequently, a nasal breathing approach during exercise might attenuate the effects of exercise-induced myocardial vasoconstriction and ischemia produced by breathing orally which is a probable mechanism for the increased myocardial fibrosis and arrhythmia seen in endurance athletes without concurrent cardiovascular disease, making it a topic worthy of increased research focus
Comparative Analysis of Kinetic Responses and Injury Risk During Landing from 45 cm Height: A Study of Barefoot vs. Sports Shoes Conditions
Full text linkJumping and landing biomechanics are closely related to the risk of acute injury due to prolonged exposure to high-ground reaction forces in basketball-like sports, which can lead to lower-limb musculoskeletal injuries in the hip, knee, and ankle. Footwear greatly impacts jumping mechanics, but going barefoot provides a unique perspective on how the human body interacts with the ground. This study aims to find out the kinetic responses during drop landing from 45 cm height with and without sports shoe conditions. Twenty-five healthy young adults were volunteers for this study. Kinetic parameters were recorded and processed by using Quattro Jump force plat and Mars Quarter performance analysis software. Data were presented as mean ± SD values and statistical analysis was performed using statistical software package SPSS-26. The drop landing data of with and without shoe shows scattered parameters with maximum forces of 4706.12N and 5393.04N at 45 cm height, indicating a 66% and 75% risk of metatarsal injury. The stabilization force was 632.64N and 623.64N at 45 cm, reached at 0.58s and 0.66s respectively. Time from Max Force to MFBS Regression analysis indicated a low R-squared value and a random fit plot. In barefoot (without shoe) conditions, the initial contact force, and maximum force were 85.71% and 13.60% higher (250N and 5393.04N respectively) compared to landing with shoes (100N and 4706.12N). However, the stabilization force was higher (632.64N) when landing with shoes compared to landing barefoot (623.64N). As a result, the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and joint stress was higher when landing barefoot due to the higher initial contact force and maximum force. On the other hand, landing with shoes enhances balance and stability due to the higher stabilization force
Effect of Rule Changes on Performance Parameters for Women's Water Polo Over Three Seasons
Full text linkWater polo’s rule changes are proposed to improve performance throw a faster game with more goals, less wrestling and more technical skills. The rule changes may modify the players' perception and game actions. However, there are some critical differences between male and female water polo teams. To date, we have not found any study about female water polo rule changes effects over the seasons. This study aimed to verify the effects of water polo rule changes on the performance of female elite-level teams over the three seasons. The data were collected through official game reports from the European water polo league for female tournaments, totaling 63 matches. Goals, goals per quarter, exclusion fouls, and penalty fouls were registered and analyzed. Mean, standard deviation, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all variables. Generalized estimating equations were applied to compare the variables in the three moments. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated. SPSS 20.0 was used in all analyses. The alpha significance level was established at 0.05. No statistical differences were found over seasons' post-water polo rule changes for goals, goals per quarter, exclusion fouls, and penalty fouls variables, and the effect sizes were just from trivial to small. The 2019 and 2021 water polo rule changes do not provoke statistical effects in female water polo teams over the 2019/2020, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons
Evaluation of the oxidative profile in leukocytes of jiu jtisu athletes
Full text linkOxidative stress is a process where there is an increase in reactive species, both oxygen and nitrogen. This can happen at both systemic and mitochondrial levels. One of the physiological conditions currently associated with oxidative stress is high-performance physical activity. In this way, it is possible to relate that this problem impacts on sports competitions, especially in Jiu-Jitsu, a growing sport in the world and which demands intense physical effort. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the level of mitochondrial and systemic oxidation in leukocytes of jiu-jitsu athletes. 20 adult men were selected for the control group and 13 athletes for the experimental group. A blood collection was performed to perform MTT and chemiluminescence assays for an analysis of mitochondrial and systemic oxidation, respectively. In addition, two reactive nitrogen species were measured: nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. The evaluation of the leukocyte reducing capacity by MTT showed that the athletes presented a greater reducing environment compared to the control. On the other hand, the chemiluminescence evaluation showed that the athletes' leukocytes showed greater systemic oxidation. There was an increase in both reactive nitrogen species in alteta leukocytes. Given this, it was possible to notice that the athletes presented greater systemic oxidative stress, but with mitochondria with better adaptive capacity to the cell's metabolic demands
Evaluation of Sleep Behaviors in Male Football Players Participating in Youth Football Leagues
Full text linkThis article addresses a research study aimed at evaluating the sleep behaviors of young football players in Turkey. The research was conducted using a correlational survey design. The population consisted of male football players participating in the Turkey Football U 19 Elite A, U 17 Elite A, U 17 Elite B, U 19 Regional Development, U 17 Regional Development, and U 16 Development leagues, with a sample size of 203 players. Statistical methods such as normality analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for analysis. The study found no statistically significant differences in the variables of football year, position status, training day, regular medication use status, education level, and sleep duration among young football players. The data revealed that young players who stayed with friends at home or alone had higher sleep quality compared to those staying with their families at home. When analyzed according to the computer and phone usage variable, except for the sleep disorder factor, all sub-dimensions favored those using computers and phones. Regarding the playing status in development leagues, significant results were found in the sports factor sub-dimension for U 19 Elite A and U 19 Regional Development league players in relation to sleep quality factors. According to ASBQ Total Score averages, the values of U 19 Elite A league players were more significant compared to U 17 Elite A league players and U 16 Development league players. Regarding the sleep problem status variable, players indicating sleep problems had statistically higher values in sleep quality factors, Habitual sleep efficiency factors, and ASBQ Total Scores. In conclusion, it can be stated that there is a direct relationship between sleep and performance among U 19 Elite A young football players, and they act with this awareness
Challenges and Interventions of Physical Education Teachers in Assessing Students' Learning in the Online Modality
Full text linkDespite the emergence of several studies on online learning in Physical Education (PE) research, little has been mentioned about the assessment of learning outcomes in PE. This qualitative research aimed to understand the challenges and intervention strategies of PE teachers in assessing learning outcomes in the online modality. Nine elementary PE teachers from the laboratory elementary schools in Baguio City, Philippines participated in a semi-structured interview. The findings revealed that elementary PE teachers were faced with challenges in assessing PE learning online, but made interventions to these challenges. Three themes surfaced to describe the challenges: challenges in viewing students’ output, challenges in trusting, and challenges in monitoring students. The two themes described the interventions as differentiating students’ requirements and collaborating with parents. In assessing the PE learning outcomes online, the participants found it difficult; however, they realized that finding ways to overcome these difficulties is part of what teachers should do. The findings offer valuable insights that can inform and guide PE teachers in effectively assessing students' learning outcomes in the online learning modality
Investigating Key Factors Influencing Adhesion and Adherence in Weight Training
Full text linkThe practice of weight training can result in many benefits for its practitioners, however the proportion of individuals who practice weight training regularly is low. The objective of this study was to investigate the reasons for adhesion and adherence in weight training. The sample was composed of 75 participants, men and women, who practice weight training, in a gym located in Florianópolis, Brazil. Data was collected using a questionnaire, which resulted in health and quality of life being the main reasons for joining and adhering to weight training. In relation to the characteristics of the gym that contribute to the for adhesion and adherence, the following were identified: the location of the gym, the financial cost, the technical qualifications and the service of the professionals. Through these results, Physical Education professionals will be able to create loyalty strategies for their students, taking into account the reasons for exercising at that location
Navigating Covid-19 Challenges – How Physical Education Teachers Skillfully Applied Their Expertise
Full text linkPhysical education (PE) is challenging to teach in a face-to-face setup due to its rigorous physical activities (PA). This challenge intensified with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting a shift toward exclusively adopting distance learning education (DLE) or online education (OE). Since there is a lack of elaboration on the challenges encountered by PE teachers in teaching the subject in such a setup and understanding the solutions they have implemented for its successful delivery, this study reviews available studies to understand this case. Using a systematic literature review (SLR) bounded by inclusion-exclusion criteria, 39 Philippine studies were screened and considered for review. Despite PE teachers confronting a series of challenges and these hurdles demanding a paradigm shift in teaching strategies, particularly in maintaining physical engagement and connection in a virtual setting, these challenges spurred resilience and innovation. In particular, interprofessional collaboration for pedagogical resilience, adaptation of innovative pedagogies, improving technological proficiency, and dealing with remote environments are commendable actions that PE teachers demonstrated in times of DLE/OE. The study concludes that PE teachers demonstrated a commitment to collective success, similar to other subjects, by providing students with a diverse educational journey despite the nature of the subject
Foot Dimension among Indian Population: A Pilot Study
Full text linkFoot anthropometry involves measuring the dimensions and shapes of the human foot, crucial for designing footwear that improves athletic performance and reduces the risk of injuries by offering adequate support and matching natural biomechanics. This study aimed to gather foot anthropometric data from both males and females and compare foot dimensions between the two to develop specific footwear. A total of 204 male and female volunteers, with an average age of 28.20 ± 12.95 years, participated in the study, and 15-foot measurements were taken using 3D foot scanner equipment. All data was analyzed using SPSS software version 26. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare differences between the right and left feet of males and females. Significant differences were found in various measurements of the left feet, including 'foot length', 'foot width', 'heel circumference', 'toe circumference', 'waist circumference', 'ankle circumference', 'thumb height', 'toe width', 'heel center width', 'lateral malleolus length', 'medial malleolus length', 'Spherion height', and 'instep circumference'; however, no significant difference was observed in 'foot arch height'. This study also showed that all parameters differed significantly between the right and left feet in both males and females. The Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test revealed no significant difference in ‘foot arch height’ between males and females, but thumb height did show a significant difference between the left and right feet of females. These precise anthropometric measurements are crucial for ensuring the proper fit of footwear, insights into this variability, allow makers to make footwear that accommodates a wide range of users enhancing control, stability, and response during daily activity. Different activity requires different leg movements and support, and precise foot anthropometry can help customize footwear to meet the unique requirements of each activity
Injury Occurrence and Localization in Tennis: Perspectives on Prevention and Physiotherapy
Full text linkInjuries happens in sports involving human movement, with the heightened demands of the sport often correlating with increased injury risk. Tennis, in particular, presents notable challenges as the repetitive motions involved can lead to muscle imbalances and varying levels of strain across different parts of the body. In this narrative literature review, we included 69 studies with the aim of providing a comprehensive overview of tennis-related injuries and offering insights into physiotherapy interventions for prevention and recovery. The first part of our review is on the most prevalent tennis injuries and their anatomical localization. It is noteworthy that injuries predominantly occur during matches rather than in training sessions. These injuries span a wide range, encompassing both acute and chronic conditions, affecting various parts of the body. Notably, muscle-tendon injuries are common, with frequent occurrences in areas such as the thigh, ankle, knee, and shoulder. Furthermore, it is observed that men suffer from back injuries compared to women. In the subsequent section, we delve into specific body regions and their associated injuries in greater detail. Our analysis leads to the recommendation that tennis players should engage with physiotherapists early in their sports careers for injury recovery and mainly for prevention measures. Collaboration with physiotherapists can significantly mitigate the risk of injuries and enhance overall performance and longevity in the sport