International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports
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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
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
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
Exploring the Influence of Sports on Student-Athletes’ Competitive Mindsets during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Full text linkSports aim to enhance an individual’s formation through organized physical and mental involvement. As sports participation promotes teamwork and dedication, athletes develop sportsmanship, mindfulness, and mental toughness, which brings out their confidence. While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused distress and tested the resilience of people, the effects of the situation on student-athlete mindset and competitiveness remain unresolved. With Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory as its foreshadowing theory, this qualitative study focused on the experiences of 10 high school to collegiate student-athletes from a private university in Manila who were asked about their mindsets during the COVID-19 pandemic. After analyzing the data from the transcribed interviews through thematic analysis and the use of the Tracy Coding Matrix, findings revealed the effects of Bandura’s sources of self-efficacy expectations that influenced the student-athletes’ will to win, particularly performance accomplishments, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and emotional arousal. The researchers found that sports affect student-athletes’ competitive mindsets by developing their traits, such as self-confidence, motivation, self-assurance, self-reformation, and wellness. Although sports participation also caused feelings of insecurity and pressure among the participants, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, student-athletes were able to adapt, particularly through being supported by their environment. With this, some of the findings suggest that a social circle's presence may ignite student-athletes' drive for victory but may also demotivate them. Finally, the findings of the study may be used to understand student-athlete behavior and strategies such as positive reinforcement and goal-setting may be used to improve their mentalities
Assessment of Body Composition in Young Rhythmic Gymnasts
Full text linkThe primary aim of this study was to examine the body composition of young female rhythmic gymnasts and draw comparative insights from the collected data. Additionally, the results were compared with other studies that shared identical or analogous research objectives. 36 girls divided into three age groups participated in the research: Group 1 (age: 8.57 ± 0.66), group 2 (age: 10.32 ± 0.48) and group 3 (age: 12.90 ± 0.74). Body composition was determined using an octopolar bioelectrical impedance analysis device InBody 370. Among the various variables assessed, the groups exhibited statistically significant differences across most parameters, with exception of body fat (%). Our results, consistent with prior research studies, revealed that our participants also exhibited the characteristic body composition commonly observed in rhythmic gymnastics. These findings suggest that rhythmic gymnastics primarily affects body weight and the percentage of body fat tissue, while also contributing to the development of muscle mass over years of training and sports experience
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
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
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
Dance Pedagogy used by Physical Education Teachers in Enhancing Skill Acquisition, Mastery and Self-Image
Full text linkEffective teaching practices in dance cover a variety of theoretical and practical approaches and techniques and individual teaching and learning styles. This study focused on dance pedagogy used by physical education teachers in enhancing skill acquisition, mastery, and self-image. Specifically, the study investigated the extent of the use of dance pedagogy by physical education teachers in five teacher education institutions to enhance skill acquisition, mastery, and self-image. The total number of participants of the study was twenty-three (23) wherein fifteen (15) were females and eight (8) males and with experiences in teaching ranging from 1 to 25 years. A questionnaire comprising 65 items that exemplify the sixteen dance teaching guidelines for strengthening students' dance skill acquisition, knowledge, and self-image was used to gather data supported by classroom observation. The items were adapted from the sixteen guidelines for teaching and learning identified by Mainwaring and Krasnow, which were categorized into three major areas: process and goals, influences that affect dancers' progress, and structure and content of the class. The data were treated using descriptive statistical tools. The results showed that the physical education teachers always practice dance pedagogies that enhance dance skill acquisition, mastery, and self-image. Dance pedagogies are needed to maximize the potential of every learner who wants to progress and become their best
Predictive Modeling of Heart Rate Dynamics based on Physical Characteristics and Exercise Parameters: A Machine Learning Approach
Full text linkTo accurately forecast heart rate changes during exercise, which is essential for customized health monitoring and improving training regimens, it is necessary to comprehend both the physiological foundations and the technical capacities for data processing. This research utilizes Machine Learning (ML) methodologies to predict heart rate reactions based on physical characteristics and activity variables. Our research focuses on the health and sports aspects of our results, using a comprehensive dataset that includes a wide range of activity types and ambient circumstances across 12,000 sets. We establish a connection between the ability of models such as Linear Regression (LR) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) to predict outcomes and their practical use in exercise management and optimizing athlete performance. These models accurately forecast variations in heart rate and also provide insights into the cardiovascular demands of various physical activities. Standard metrics measure the effectiveness of these models. The Linear Regression (LR) model achieved a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.419, a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.294, a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.543, and an R-Squared value of 0.997. On the other hand, the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) Regressor model achieved a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.421, a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.335, a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.578, and an R-Squared value of 0.996. These metrics demonstrate the usefulness of these models in real-world scenarios. Our study's findings demonstrate that the combination of physiological data and powerful machine learning models may improve an individual's comprehension of fitness levels and the requirements for adaptive training. This study not only adds to the field of computational physiology, but it also aids in the creation of adaptive, real-time therapies for improving health and performance