A comparison of the physical demands of a one-day cricket game and the training sessions of provincial cricket players using Global Positioning System tracking software

Background: Cricket is a highly technical skills-based game and coaches consequently focus on the improvement of skills during training sessions. However, a certain level of physical fitness is required to execute these skills optimally. Coaches tend to give little focused attention to the development of physical fitness during training, which could lead to players being physically unprepared for the demands of a game.  Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the physical demands of a one-day cricket game and a training session of provincial cricket players, using Global Positioning System units.  Methods: Nineteen male provincial cricketers participated in the research. The participants were classified into five sub-disciplines, namely, batting, fast bowling, spin bowling, fielding and wicketkeeping. The study employed a descriptive and comparative design as it essentially collected numerical data from Global Positioning System units to describe and compare the physical demands of a one-day game of cricket and a training session preceding these games. The variables used in the study included total distances travelled in the game which were divided into five movement categories, i.e. walking, jogging, running, striding and sprinting. Also included were average and maximum heart rates, number of sprints and average sprint distances.  Results: There were significant differences across all sub-disciplines and movement categories during training and the one-day game for provincial cricket players. Batsmen showed the greatest discrepancies between training and the game for all high-intensity movements (p<0.05).  Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the different physical and physiological demands placed on players in the various sub-disciplines during training and the one-day game. The current study found the major disparity between training and the one-day game was amongst the batsmen.&nbsp

A comparison of the physical demands of a one-day cricket game and the training sessions of provincial cricket players using Global Positioning System tracking software

Background: Cricket is a highly technical skills-based game and coaches consequently focus on the improvement of skills during training sessions. However, a certain level of physical fitness is required to execute these skills optimally. Coaches tend to give little focused attention to the development of physical fitness during training, which could lead to players being physically unprepared for the demands of a game.  Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the physical demands of a one-day cricket game and a training session of provincial cricket players, using Global Positioning System units.  Methods: Nineteen male provincial cricketers participated in the research. The participants were classified into five sub-disciplines, namely, batting, fast bowling, spin bowling, fielding and wicketkeeping. The study employed a descriptive and comparative design as it essentially collected numerical data from Global Positioning System units to describe and compare the physical demands of a one-day game of cricket and a training session preceding these games. The variables used in the study included total distances travelled in the game which were divided into five movement categories, i.e. walking, jogging, running, striding and sprinting. Also included were average and maximum heart rates, number of sprints and average sprint distances.  Results: There were significant differences across all sub-disciplines and movement categories during training and the one-day game for provincial cricket players. Batsmen showed the greatest discrepancies between training and the game for all high-intensity movements (p<0.05).  Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the different physical and physiological demands placed on players in the various sub-disciplines during training and the one-day game. The current study found the major disparity between training and the one-day game was amongst the batsmen.&nbsp

A comparison of the physical demands of a one-day cricket game and the training sessions of provincial cricket players using Global Positioning System tracking software

Background: Cricket is a highly technical skills-based game and coaches consequently focus on the improvement of skills during training sessions. However, a certain level of physical fitness is required to execute these skills optimally. Coaches tend to give little focused attention to the development of physical fitness during training, which could lead to players being physically unprepared for the demands of a game.  Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the physical demands of a one-day cricket game and a training session of provincial cricket players, using Global Positioning System units.  Methods: Nineteen male provincial cricketers participated in the research. The participants were classified into five sub-disciplines, namely, batting, fast bowling, spin bowling, fielding and wicketkeeping. The study employed a descriptive and comparative design as it essentially collected numerical data from Global Positioning System units to describe and compare the physical demands of a one-day game of cricket and a training session preceding these games. The variables used in the study included total distances travelled in the game which were divided into five movement categories, i.e. walking, jogging, running, striding and sprinting. Also included were average and maximum heart rates, number of sprints and average sprint distances.  Results: There were significant differences across all sub-disciplines and movement categories during training and the one-day game for provincial cricket players. Batsmen showed the greatest discrepancies between training and the game for all high-intensity movements (p<0.05).  Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the different physical and physiological demands placed on players in the various sub-disciplines during training and the one-day game. The current study found the major disparity between training and the one-day game was amongst the batsmen.&nbsp

A comparison of the physical demands of a one-day cricket game and the training sessions of provincial cricket players using Global Positioning System tracking software

Background: Cricket is a highly technical skills-based game and coaches consequently focus on the improvement of skills during training sessions. However, a certain level of physical fitness is required to execute these skills optimally. Coaches tend to give little focused attention to the development of physical fitness during training, which could lead to players being physically unprepared for the demands of a game.  Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the physical demands of a one-day cricket game and a training session of provincial cricket players, using Global Positioning System units.  Methods: Nineteen male provincial cricketers participated in the research. The participants were classified into five sub-disciplines, namely, batting, fast bowling, spin bowling, fielding and wicketkeeping. The study employed a descriptive and comparative design as it essentially collected numerical data from Global Positioning System units to describe and compare the physical demands of a one-day game of cricket and a training session preceding these games. The variables used in the study included total distances travelled in the game which were divided into five movement categories, i.e. walking, jogging, running, striding and sprinting. Also included were average and maximum heart rates, number of sprints and average sprint distances.  Results: There were significant differences across all sub-disciplines and movement categories during training and the one-day game for provincial cricket players. Batsmen showed the greatest discrepancies between training and the game for all high-intensity movements (p<0.05).  Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the different physical and physiological demands placed on players in the various sub-disciplines during training and the one-day game. The current study found the major disparity between training and the one-day game was amongst the batsmen.&nbsp

A systematic review of the effects of exercise interventions on body composition in HIV+ adults

Over the years, physical activity and exercise have been used to positively impact the health and quality of life of persons infected with HIV and, more recently, has been associated with a spectrum of body composition changes. The aim of this review was to examine the effects of various exercise interventions on body composition in HIV positive adults, using a search strategy of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs). A systematic review was performed by five independent reviewers using a predetermined protocol adapted from previous research for assessing the articles for inclusion, the extracted data, and methodological quality. Eight RCTs involving 430 (26% female) HIV positive adults performing exercise a minimum of thrice weekly for at least six weeks were finally selected: Four were progressive resistance training (PRT) studies, three were aerobic training (AT) studies, and one involved yoga. In the PRT studies, there were significant increases in three anthropometric measures, namely, body mass, sum of skinfolds and sum of limb girths. In the AT studies, significant decreases were found in seven anthropometric measures, namely, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, body mass, triceps skinfold, waist circumference and sum of skinfolds. With yoga, the changes were nonsignificant. Exercise contributes to improved body composition and, when applied safely, appears to be beneficial for adults living with HIV/AIDS. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the relatively few RCTs published to date. Future studies would benefit from increased attention to sample size, female participants, participant follow-up, complete statistical analysis and intention-to-treat analysis.Scopu

Effects of Anacetrapib in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease remain at high risk for cardiovascular events despite effective statin-based treatment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) by anacetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, trials of other CETP inhibitors have shown neutral or adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30,449 adults with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive atorvastatin therapy and who had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 61 mg per deciliter (1.58 mmol per liter), a mean non-HDL cholesterol level of 92 mg per deciliter (2.38 mmol per liter), and a mean HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg per deciliter (1.03 mmol per liter). The patients were assigned to receive either 100 mg of anacetrapib once daily (15,225 patients) or matching placebo (15,224 patients). The primary outcome was the first major coronary event, a composite of coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in significantly fewer patients in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (1640 of 15,225 patients [10.8%] vs. 1803 of 15,224 patients [11.8%]; rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97; P=0.004). The relative difference in risk was similar across multiple prespecified subgroups. At the trial midpoint, the mean level of HDL cholesterol was higher by 43 mg per deciliter (1.12 mmol per liter) in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (a relative difference of 104%), and the mean level of non-HDL cholesterol was lower by 17 mg per deciliter (0.44 mmol per liter), a relative difference of -18%. There were no significant between-group differences in the risk of death, cancer, or other serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive statin therapy, the use of anacetrapib resulted in a lower incidence of major coronary events than the use of placebo. (Funded by Merck and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48678192 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01252953 ; and EudraCT number, 2010-023467-18 .)

Poverty, urbanisation, physical inactivity and health in African societies

Research has provided overwhelming scientific evidence on the health, social and psychological benefits of engaging in sufficient, regular physical activities. However, physical activity is still considered to be the most underutilised inexpensive health resource in the world, despite its proven positive influences on the many aspects of personal health. Various factors are contributing to increases in sedentary lifestyles. The recreational alternatives brought about by technological advances especially in the field of computer technology have become strong competitors for people's free time. However, people's level of participation is not always governed by choice but often by unequal access to opportunities. Limited physical, human and financial resources in African societies, brought about by wide spread poverty and urbanisation, are depriving a large sector of the African community from living active lifestyles. The provision of opportunities to participate in sports and other physical activities is not considered a priority in communities where conditions of hunger and poverty are rampant. The aim of this paper is to highlight the impact of poverty and urbanisation on African communities' level of participation in sport, physical education and recreation. Key words: Poverty, urbanisation, physical inactivity, health, African societies. (Af. J. Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2003 9(2): 217-223

Growth and physical fitness of sociallyl disadvantaged boys and gils aged 8-17 years, living in the Western Cape, South Africa

No Abstract.AJPHERD Vol. 13 (3) 2007: pp. 279-29