Isokinetic knee muscular strength is associated with hematologic variables in female modern dancers

It is important to expose the risk factor in injury in the context of the health and the careers of dancers. Female are at greater risk of developing anemia than men, yet scarce data exist on anemia associated outcomes in female dancers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between bilateral isokinetic knee extensor and flexor muscles strength, and biochemical hematologic parameters in female modern dancers. Concentric isokinetic peak torque [(PT)-N.m], peak torque % body weight [(PT%BW)-N.m.kg-1], average peak torque [(AVGPT)-N.m] and total work [(TW)-J)] of the knee extensor and flexor muscles were measured at a velocity of 60º, 180º and 300ºs-1. To determine hematological parameters [red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), and Hb] were determined. The dancers of LHG and HHG had significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) for hematological parameters. HHG dancers’ strength production in extensors muscles of PT, TW and AVGPT in non-dominant left leg (p ≤ 0.05) were significantly higher than LHG dancers. There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) negative correlations between TW (300ºs-1) of left leg extensor muscles and RBC, Hct and Hb variables. Isokinetic knee muscular strength is associated with hematologic variables in female modern dancers. The current study provides evidence that the low-level hematologic parameters has decreased performance on torque production of extensors knee muscles in non-dominant leg during isokinetic muscle strength endurance in female modern dancers.This work was supported by the Marmara University Scientific Research Project Committee (project no: SAG-B- 060510-0116)

The Effect of Family Attitudes and Preparation of High School Entrance Exam on Habitual Physical Activity in Children

AbstractPhysical activity level (PAL) is an important factor to promote and maintain a healthy lifestyle along the whole life cycle. The children and adolescent period is the critical time to acquire positive lifestyle habits. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of both high school entrance exam (HSEE) and parental behaviors on habitual PAL of students during the preparation of this exam. Totally 319 Elementary School students (154 girls, 165 boys) between ages of 11-13 were selected randomly for this study. PAL of students were evaluated by using the Beacke Physical Activity Questionnaires. There were a no significant differences between attendance and non attendance to extra courses for HSEE in terms of word activity (WA), sport activity (SA), and leisure activity (LA) scores (p<.05) among the students. It was shown that regular physical activity attendance of mothers plaid a significant role in LA scores (p≤.03) among the students. However, WA, and SA scores of students were not affected from their mother's habitual activities (p<.05). On the other hand, there were significant differences in WA, and SA according to father's regular physical activity attendance (p≤.01).As a conclusion, parental habitual physical activity level played an important role in high score of student's LA. It is recommended to monitor and promote parental physical activity

The effect of caffeine consumption on attention performance in female students at the faculty of health sciences

Purpose There are limited studies on the effects of coffee consumption, which has become part of popular culture and is highly common among young people, on the attention levels of female university students. This paper aims to examine the effects of caffeine consumption given at different doses (0, 100 and 200 mg) to female university students (n = 100) studying at the faculty of health sciences on attention performance with the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT). Design/methodology/approach Participants\" test completion time, number of errors and corrections were tested. In addition, the frequencies of weekly coffee consumption were also recorded. Findings It was found that consumption of coffee containing 200 mg of caffeine reduced the time to complete the sections of the SCWT test (p < 0.05), as well as the total test completion time (55.81 +/- 8.67 s) compared to no coffee consumption (58.25 +/- 9.46 s) and coffee consumption with 100-mg caffeine (57.56 +/- 8.87 s) (p < 0.05; effect size: 0.268). The effect of caffeine on attention level was induced by 200-mg caffeine consumption, but was unapparent at 100-mg dose. In addition, SCWT completion times were reduced in the student group with more weekly coffee consumption (=3 cups/week) at 200-mg caffeine dose. Originality/value In this context, caffeine dose is a factor that should be taken into account in determining the performance of individuals in the SCWT test. It is thought that coffee consumption can increase the concentration of students and have positive effects on academic achievement

Effects of 8-Week Thera-Band Training on Spike Speed, Jump Height and Speed of Upper Limb Performance of Young Female Volleyball Players

Introduction and objectives: Elastic resistance has been commonly used in the therapeutic and fitness setting. However, the effects of a strength training program using elastic resistance exercises to the explosive power and spike speed, which are very important elements for successful volleyball practice, has not been clearly demonstrated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the effects of 8-week TheraBand training protocols on the development of spike speed, counter movement jump (CMJ) height, peak power and speed of upper limb performance of young female volleyball players. Methods: The participants consists of 20 competitive female volleyball players who regularly train at the same team and aged 15-17 years (age 16.2 +/- 0.7 years). All the players were tested for spike speed, CMJ height, peak power and speed of upper limb performances before and after 8-week training program. The players were divided into Thera-Band Training Group (TTG; n=10) and Control Group (CG; n=10). Both groups continued technical and tactical volleyball training together 3 days (120 min. d.-1) a week. Additionally, TTG attended Thera-Band training program through 8-week, 2 days per week and 2 sessions (60 min. d.-1). Results: The findings of the study showed significant change in CMJ height, peak power and spike speed at the end of 8-week. TTG significantly (p = .001) improved CMJ height, peak power and spike speed, whereas the CG showed significant changes only CMJ height and peak power (p = .05) at the end of 8week. The effect of resistance exercises was significantly higher as compared to the control group (p < .05). Results demonstrated that the TTG players showed greater improvements in CMJ height (d = 1.31, moderate effect size), and spiking speed (d = 2.93, large effect size) performance than CG. Conclusion: It can be concluded that supervised Thera-Band training contributed development of the performance of spike speed mostly and CMJ height and peak power of lower extremities in young female volleyball players. Due to its effectiveness on muscular performance, the Thera-Band training model can be recommended to the coaches and players in additional to the regular technical training

Balance Training in Modern Dancers Proprioceptive-Neuromuscular Training vs Kinesio Taping

Kinesio tape and proprioceptive exercises are both used for increasing balance in dancers. The purposes of this study were to: a) determine the acute effect of kinesio tape (KT) application on the ankle joint on balance performance, b) investigate the effects of an 8-week proprioceptive-neuromuscular (PN) training program on balance performance, and c) compare their effects vs modern dance technique classes alone. Thirty-three trained, university-level modern dance students (9 male, 24 female) were divided randomly into three groups: kinesio tape (KT, n=11), proprioceptive-neuromuscular (PN, n=11), or control (n=11). Static (turn-out passe-opened eyes/releve and turn-out passe-closed eyes/flat foot), semi-dynamic (airplane), and dynamic balance (monopodalic-straight and -transverse in a turn-out passe-eyes opened/flat foot) tests were performed before and after the intervention. One day after pre-tests, KT mechanical correction technique was applied to the left ankle joint (supporting leg) in the KT group, and tests were repeated to determine the acute effect of KT. The PN group participated in an 8-week balance training program (2 days/wk, 60 min/day) involving exercises using stable and unstable surfaces. Significant improvements were observed for all static and dynamic balance tests in the PN group; semi-dynamic airplane and dynamic monopodalic-straight and transverse tests improved in the KT group; and only semi-dynamic airplane test scores changed significantly for the control group (p<0.05). Our findings suggest that with the exception of the semi-dynamic airplane test, both PN training and KT application were more effective at improving balance performance for modern dancers than modern dance technique classes alone

Analysis of body movement difficulties of individual elite rhythmic gymnasts at London 2012 Olympic games finals

The purpose of this study was to analyse the body movement difficulties in individual elite rhythmic gymnasts in Olympic Games. The data has been collected from the videos that were recorded during the individual senior rhythmic gymnastics final competitions at London 2012 Olympic Games. In final competitions, 10 gymnasts performed hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon routines. In each apparatus 10 and for a total of 40 choreographies were analysed. Descriptive statistics were calculated and the numbers of body difficulties groups in each routine were determined as a percentage. It was observed that the pivots were the technical category with more variety (18 variations, 31.6%) and balances were used very frequently (178 times) but the most limited variety (14 variations, 13.2%) while flexibility/wave difficulties (108 times) were preferred a lot less. However, Rotation in Penche (42.6%) was the most used flexibility/wave difficulty amongst basic body movement difficulties for each apparatus. Jete with a turn, Balance in back scale leg high up, Attitude pivot and Rotation in Penche difficulties were the most used body movement difficulties for all apparatus. As a result, elite rhythmic gymnasts preferred certain difficulties and used only these stereotyped movements in different compositions in 2012 Olympic Games. It was concluded that Olympic level individual elite gymnasts tend to use the same quality jump/leap, balance, pivot and flexibility/wave body movement difficulties for all of their routines and it shows clearly an indication for the lack of selection of the body difficulties. This study could be the base for future studies that might focus on new Code of Points rules and their effects on the selection and variety of body movement difficulties in compositions. © IDOSI Publications, 2014

Effects of six weeks of stable versus unstable multi-dimensional surfaces balance training on passing skills and balance performance in young male basketball players

Background and objective: Adolescence is a period when balance and coordination decrease as a result of rapid musculoskeletal growth. These changes may affect various sports-specific skills, including balance. This study aimed to examine the changes in balance performance and basketball passing speed in male youth basketball players following six weeks of balance training performed on unstable versus stable surfaces. Methods: Twenty-five male basketball players, mean age 15.53 +/- 0.57 years, participated in balance training on different surfaces (unstable surface (US, n = 13); stable surface (SS, n = 12)) for six weeks (2 days/week; 35 to 50 min/day, incrementally). Their physical characteristics, passing skills (passing accuracy and speed test) and balance performance (Y-Balance Test and The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test) were measured. Results: The improvement rates for passing accuracy (effect size (ES) = 0.86, moderate, P < 0.001), lower extremity (ES right = 0.94, moderate, P < 0.001; ES left = 0.88, moderate, P < 0.001) and upper extremity (ES right = 1.01, moderate, P < 0.001; ES left = 0.94, moderate, P < 0.001) balance scores, upper extremity stability test power (ES = 0.89, P < 0.001) and the normalized scores (ES = 1.20, moderate, P < 0.001) of the US group were higher than those of the SS group. Passing speed significantly increased only in the US group (P < 0.028). Conclusion: A multi-dimensional surface training model improved balance performance and passing accuracy skills compared to a stable surface training model for male basketball players. US balance training may be used as a complementary training model to increase dynamic balance and passing accuracy skills for male basketball players