The Influence of Experiential Pedagogy on Undergraduate Sport Coaching Students’ ‘Real World’ Practice

There is a body of research on the challenges that coaches face when trying to implement athlete-centred coaching, but very little attention has been paid to the influence that the growing number of sport coaching degrees has on coaches’ beliefs and practice in regard to athlete-centred coaching. While studies have been conducted on sport coaches’ use of game-based approaches (GBA) to coaching, undergraduate sport coaching students’ interpretation of this coaching innovation has been largely overlooked. This article takes a step toward redressing this oversight by reporting on a study that inquired into the influence of the experiential pedagogy used in a course on athlete-centred coaching on students’ beliefs about coaching and their practice. The scholarship of teaching study adopted a constructivist grounded theory methodology to focus on five undergraduates in a sport coaching program with data generated through a series of three interviews with each participant. This study concludes that the experience-based course design was effective in influencing undergraduate students’ beliefs about coaching and their practice outside university

The relative effect of CXWORXTM versus TabataTM group exercise programs on body mass index, body composition, predicted VO2max and body image in adult exercisers

In this present work we took an initiation to compares the effects of two common approaches to group exercise: CXWORXTM and TabataTM , which employ differing exercise strategies, on common fitness measures and psychological perceptions.  The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of TabataTM versus CXWORXTM on body mass index (BMI), body composition, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) measured self-perceptions in adult exercisers. The mixed gender sample consisted of a sub-set of 10 adult cross fit exercisers and 10 students from a regional comprehensive university class randomized to each exercise program. Analysis of Variance was used to examine program effects. While no significant main effect of the training period on body composition or BMI was found; mean VO2max was significantly increased as a large main effect across the study groups (F=1.054, P<0.05, η2 =0.533) without significant interaction. In addition, there was a significant large interactive effect of the training program and time to increase MBSRQ scores for appearance evaluation (F=1.648, P<0.05, η2 = 0.367), appearance orientation (F=1.447, P<0.05,  η2 = 0.377), fitness evaluation (F=1.637, P<0.05, η2 = 0.557), and body areas satisfaction (F=2.744, P<0.05, η2 = 0.533), in the CXWORXTM  group in comparison with the TabataTM group.  In conclusion, participants who completed a CXWORXTM exercise program increase VO2max similarly to participants who complete a TabataTM exercise program, while also reporting significant improvements in body image scores which the TabataTM participants did not. Neither program had a significant effect on body composition or BMI

Serve and Return in Badminton: Gender Differences of Elite Badminton Players

Male and female players may have different game characteristics and performance. The first two shots of a rally in badminton have tactical importance. The aim of this study is to identify players' actions and behaviors and to assess differences in serve and return between the genders on the international level. We observed 15 male and 15 female matches from top international badminton tournaments. A notational analysis was used while observing the serve type, return type and the point winner. Male players hit the backhand short serve in 91 % of points and female players started the point mostly with the forehand long serve (58 %). Both genders won 50 % of the serving points. The distribution of return type is quite equal among the drop, lob, clear, smash and net shots in female matches. While returning a short serve, the lob was 4-5 % less efficient than a net shot in both genders. Women can try to use backhand short serve more often as we found the highest efficiency of all the serve types

Kinematics of assisted and unassisted plyometric training of vertical jumping and rebounding in youth male football players – A six-week training study

The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematics of assisted and unassisted plyometric training of vertical jumping and rebounding activities following a six-week training intervention. 13 youth males from a professional football academy completed six weeks of either unassisted (n = 6) or band-assisted (n = 7) plyometric training sessions twice a week during their competitive season. Pre- and post-assessments of counter-movement jump (CMJ) height, 50 cm drop-jump (DJ50) ground contact time (GCT), jump height and reactive strength index (RSI), and submaximal-hopping (SMH) GCT, jump height and RSI were compared. Pre- and post-assessment ankle angle at touch-down (TD), peak flexion (PF) and mid-flight (MF) were also analysed for the submaximal-hop test only. Following training, significant main effects of time were observed for CMJ height, DJ50 GCT and MF ankle angle (p < 0.05) and a significant effect of group was observed for DJ50 RSI (p < 0.05). These results suggest that both unassisted and assisted plyometric training may be useful for enhancing the kinematics and technical performance of plyometric activities in a youth male football population

Biochemical and Functional Characteristics of Elderly Female Residents in the Rural and Urban Sectors of Yumbe, Chile

This study aimed to evaluate and compare functional capacity and biochemical factors among elderly women living in the urban and rural sectors of Yumbe, Chile. The sample consisted of 2 groups of elderly women from the province of Ñuble, from the eighth region of Chile, divided into urban elderly (UE) (n = 20) with a mean age of 67.57 ± 3.4 years, and rural elderly (RE) (n = 20), with a mean age of 71.25 ± 2.2 years. The following biochemical variables were analyzed: glycemic index a, and triglycerides levels and cholesterol levels. The test battery used to assess functional capacity was the Senior Fitness Test. It was found that the UE group presented better indices than the RE group for all variables except glycemia, for which the RE group presented better indices. In the functional capacity, in particular, the upper and lower body strength is significantly lower in the RE. The functional capacity and the biochemical parameters studied have shown that the elderly women of different social conditions in the Yumbe-Chile region do not present a good degree of functionality, and also show high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, which might be the cause of the increased prevalence of health problems in this population

Postural control in male ten-pin bowlers of different level of competitiveness

Ten-pin bowling is considered a highly skilled recreational activity with players demonstrating various anthropometric and physiological characteristics. The purpose of the current study was to assess both static and dynamic body balance, in ten-pin bowlers of different level of competitiveness. Thirty four ten-pin bowlers who competed at a high (Level-A, n=17) and a lower level (Level-B, n=17) as well as eighteen individuals without experience in ten-pin bowling (Non-bowlers) participated in the study. Static balance was determined based on the anteroposterior (APd) and mediolateral displacement (MLd) of the center-of-foot-pressure (CoP) that was recorded during single-leg-stance with open and close eyes as well as with open eyes and head extension. Dynamic balance was determined based on the APd and MLd of CoP as well as the normalized distances reached during execution of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) in the posterior, posterolateral and lateral directions. Significantly better dynamic balance, in terms of the distances reached during SEBT execution, was demonstrated by Level-A bowlers compared to Level-B bowlers and Non-bowlers. The differences between groups regarding APd and MLd, during both static and dynamic balance testing, were in general not significant. Our findings revealed that ten-pin bowlers who compete at a higher level demonstrate better dynamic balance ability. Sports scientists and coaches should be aware of these differences to optimize performance or distinguish ten-pin bowlers with different level of competitiveness

The Impact of the Change of Water Polo Rules on the Game Dynamics

This research aimed to identify a change in the dynamics of the water polo game related to identifying differences in the number of goals scored before and after the introduction of the current 2019 rules. The sample analyzed 96 matches from the 2018 and 2020 European Water Polo Championships. The sample of variables included five variables for both subsamples, which referred to the total number of goals scored in the match, as well as the total number of goals per quarter. By applying the T-test for small independent samples, it was determined that at a statistically significant level, a higher number of goals was achieved in the third and fourth quarters, as well as the total number of goals in the 2020 European Championship in Hungary, compared to the 2018 European Championship in Spain. No statistically significant differences were found in the variables related to the total number of goals in the first and second quarters of the water polo match. The rule change, which came into force in 2019, was driven by changes in the game that directly reflected in a more dynamic game that resulted in more goals per game as well as in the final quarter of the game. These changes were undoubtedly preceded by changes in the total number of attacks, faster swimming, more frequent shots, which should definitely be determined by additional research

An Exposure-Based Intervention Dismantles College-Aged Females’ Barriers for Resistance Training: Project WONDER Training

This study aimed to examine the effects of an exposure-based resistance training (RT) intervention on perceived barriers, benefits, and motives for RT in college-aged females and to assess moderating effects of a trainer-trainee relationship on any intervention outcomes. A sample of 13 (Mage = 20.7 ± 1.3y) physically active, non-resistance training female students completed an 8-week intervention (1hr 45min, twice per week). The intervention was effective in reducing perceived time/effort (t[12] = 5.02, p < 0.001, d = 1.81), physical effect (t[12] = 2.48, p = 0.029, d = 0.86) and social (t[12] = 4.86, p < .001, d = 1.97) RT barriers. A positive change pattern was established in stress management (t[12] = 2.21, p = 0.048, d = 0.62), revitalization (t[12] = 2.71, p = .019, d = 0.95), and enjoyment (t[12] = 3.53, p = .004, d = 1.18). Finally, the analyses showed that goal (β = 0.23[0.02], p < 0001, R2 = 0.979) and bond (β = 0.21[.01], p < 0001, R2 = 0.995) alliances were positive moderators with large-sized effects on changes in physical barriers. For stress management, bond alliance was the only statistically significant, small-sized moderator, with a greater bond increasing the effect on the intervention (β = 0.21[.01], p < 0001, R2 = 0.997). This data suggests that an exposure-based RT intervention is beneficial for reducing perceived RT barriers in physically active, non-resistance training college-aged women and that bond-oriented support from the trainer is especially impactful in reducing some of those perceived barriers

The Influence of Morphological Characteristics on Throw Speed in Handball

The diagnosis of morphological characteristics is an integral part of the entire training process in sports. This study aimed to determine the influence of morphological characteristics on the ball's speed of movement after the shoot from a spot and movement in handball. The sample included 36 female handball players aged 14.33 years. The predictor set consisted of 10 morphological variables. In comparison, the three variables constituted the criterion variables by which the ball's speed of movement was determined after different ways of shooting. Using regression analysis, it was found that the predictor set of variables explains about 70% of the variance for all three criterion variables. Individually, a statistically significant and positive influence on the speed of movement of the ball after the shot was recorded at the height and weight of the body, while a negative effect was observed for the variables; arm length, leg length and skin fold on the abdomen. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that morphological characteristics significantly influence the speed of movement of the ball after a shot in the handball, which can significantly contribute to the selection of handball players, as well as in establishing the tactics of handball, especially in situations where one shot decides the match. Also, the obtained results indicate the necessity of considering the age characteristics of the female respondents, that is, the need to adjust the training process to the period of intensive growth and development

Effect of Oxyjun™ on Adipose Tissue Inflammation - A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Oxyjun™ on cardiovascular fitness of overweight individuals by reducing obesity induced systemic inflammation. Male participants between the ages of 18 - 35 years and body mass index of 25 - 34.9 kg/m2 were recruited in the study. Change in neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) and quality of life using 36-item Short form survey (SF-36) was assessed over a period of 8-weeks. Results demonstrated that NLR was reduced by 0.71 in Oxyjun™ and by 0.42 in the placebo group at the end of study period. Also, within group comparison was significant for Oxyjun™ group when compared from baseline; p<0.001. Further, HDL-c levels were increased in the OxyjunTM group by 4.04 mg/dL and reduced for the placebo group by 1.22 mg/dL when compared from baseline; p=0.09. For SF-36 quality of life assessments, the health concepts of fatigue, mental health, and social function showed significant improvement and no adverse or serious adverse events were reported for both groups during the course of the study. In conclusion, Oxyjun™ when consumed for 8-weeks reduced NLR of study volunteers thereby demonstrating its potential for lowering obesity induced systemic inflammation. Oxyjun™ also increased HDL levels that could further promote cardiovascular fitness and prevent the risk of cardiovascular events