FACTORS AFFECTING BALL VELOCITY IN WELL-TRAINED FEMALE HANDBALL PLAYERS

In this study, we aimed to analyze whether a relationship between anthropometric and physical performance characteristics and ball velocity in different throwing techniques of well-trained female handball players exists. Twelve well-trained female handball players (age, 22.47±4.57 years; body mass, 66.70±11.05 kg; height, 167.33±7.41 cm; handball experience, 9.91±3.47 years) from a local team that participated in Turkey’s First Women’s Handball League were recruited in this study. Anthropometric measurements, body indexes, physical performance, and ball velocity were evaluated in all subjects. A positive relationship was found between ball velocity in 9-m throw after three steps a jump and arm span, bi-iliac breadth, and bi-acromial breadth (r2=0.49; p=0.03, r2=0.50; p=0.03 and r2=0.57; p=0.02, respectively) as well as between ball velocity in 9-m throw after three steps and a jump and Monourier index (r2=0.52; p<0.04). Ball velocity in 9-m throw after three steps and a jump was negatively related to Cormic index (r2=-0.52; p<0.04). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that all performance parameters affect neither the 7-m throw (R=0.85, R2=0.73; F(4-7)=1.61; p>0.33) nor the 9-m throw three steps after and a jump (R=0.88, R2=0.77; F(4-7)=1.96; p>0.26). However, a moderate positive relationship between 9-m throw after three steps and a jump and grip strength (r=0.54; p=0.03) and vertical jump height (r=0.53; p=0.03) was noted. Neither 7-m standing throw nor 9-m throw after three steps and a jump correlated with other variables. Arm span, bi-iliac breadth, bi-acromial breadth, Monourier index score, Cormic index score, vertical jump height, and grip strength may have a positive or negative effect on 9-m throw after three steps and a jump in well-trained female handball players. The results of this study may be useful in the identification of handball skills.  Article visualizations

LEISURE SATISFACTION IN RECREATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS PARTICIPANTS

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the leisure satisfaction, in physical fitness participants. One hundred male physical fitness participants and 123 male control subjects aged 18–35 years and who usually exercised at least 3 times per week voluntarily participated in this study. The control subjects consisted of footballers, basketball players, volleyball players, etc. Professional players were excluded from both groups. Leisure satisfaction was determined using the Leisure Satisfaction Scale (LSS) developed by Beard & Raghed (1980), which was adapted into Turkish by Gökçe as a short form scale (2011). This scale contains 24 items in six subscales: a) psychological, b) educational, c) social, d) relaxation, e) physiological, and f) aesthetic satisfaction. The scale is a 5-point Likert-type scale. The Cronbach’s alpha value for the whole LSS was .90. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed to test for normality. As the data were not normally distributed, the Mann-Whitney U-test was used to determine differences between the groups. The chi-square test was used to compare sports experience between the groups. Statistical analysis revealed that the physiological subscale score was higher in the physical fitness participants than in control participants (16 versus 15, p<0.005). None of the other LSS subscales significantly differed. There were significant differences in age (p<0.001), educational level (p<0.001), and monthly income (p<0.001) between the groups. Both this study and the assessment guide of the LSS indicated that physical fitness participants evaluated themselves as fitter, healthier, and of a more normal weight than the control group. This might be due to differences in age, monthly income, and educational level between the groups. We suggest that similar studies be carried out using larger samples to obtain clearer results.  Article visualizations

DOES HAND GRIP STRENGTH CHANGE WITH GENDER? THE TRADITIONAL METHOD VS. THE ALLOMETRIC NORMALISATION METHOD

The results of muscle strength and force tests were complicated by various factors, such as age, gender and level of physical activity. The most well-known factor is body size. The allometric normalising method has been recommended to obtain more precise results from strength and force tests. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if gender plays a role in hand grip strength (HGS), and we used two methods: the traditional method (TM; non-normalised strength) and the allometric normalisation method (ANM; strength independent of body size). A total of 124 men (age: 21.0 ± 2.0 yr; BMI: 23.42 ± 2.47 kg/m2) and 77 women (age: 21.0 ± 2.0 yr; BMI: 21.07 ± 2.02 kg/m2) participated in this study. The HGS was measured in kilograms using the dominant hand via an adjustable hand grip dynamometer. When the traditional method was used, HGS was expressed in Newtons (kg × 9.81). Otherwise, a formula (Sn= S / m0,67) was used for the allometric normalisation scaling (Sn = normalized strength, S = recorded strength, m = body mass and 0.67 = allometric coefficient). Both the TM (women: HGS of 323.7 N vs. men: HGS of 461.1 N; p˂0,001) and the ANM (women: HGS of 21.31 ± 2.54 N vs. men: HGS 26.39 ± 3.78 N; p˂0,001) confirmed that there are differences in HGS as a function of gender. Replication studies are required to determine which method is more appropriate for determining the gender differences in HGS.  Article visualizations

Relationship Between Soccer-Specific Skills and Skill-Related Fitness in Adolescent Soccer Players

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between soccer-specific skills and skill-related fitness in adolescent football players. Thirty male soccer players (age: 15.86 ± 0.69 years; football experience 7.10 ± 1.70 years) were recruited from a soccer team. Soccer players performed both soccer-specific skill tests and skill-related fitness tests. Soccer-specific skill tests included the Loughborough soccer passing test, Yeagley soccer test, Mor–Christian general soccer ability skill test, and the skill-related fitness tests consisted of the alternate-hand wall-toss test, countermovement jump test, sport-specific core muscle strength and stability plank test, pro-agility test, 20-m sprint test, and lower-quarter Y balance test. Pearson product-moment correlation analyses revealed a moderately positive correlation among the Mor–Christian general soccer ability skill test score (dribbling), pro-agility test score (r = 0.44, p = 0.01), and 20-m sprint time (r = 0.43, p = 0.01). There were no correlations among other variables for both the soccer-specific skill tests and skill-related fitness tests. Based on the findings of the study, we conclude that dribbling drills in soccer should be supported by agility and sprint exercises to increase dribbling speed by soccer trainers and soccer players

Kinanthropometric Attributes of Young Male Combat Sports Athletes

Although there are enough studies concerning the kinanthropometric attributes of players of sports such as football, basketball, or volleyball in Turkey, there are not enough studies on the same for combat sports. Hence, our aim is to assess the kinanthropometric attributes of different combat sports like karate, taekwondo, judo and kickboxing. The present study included 48 national level male athletes from four different combat sports (age, 20.3 (3.19) years; number of years playing the sport, 8.33 (4.59); height, 174.3 (7.15) cm; weight, 67.35 (10.55 kg). Skinfold thickness was measured with a skinfold caliper (Holtain Ltd., UK), and Yuhazs formula was used to calculate the body fat percentage. Somatotype as- sessment was carried out with a computer program (Sweat Technology Trial Version, South Australia). Width measure- ments were obtained with a slide caliper (HLT-100, Holtain Ltd.), and girth measurements were obtained with a non- -flexible tape measure. The data obtained were analyzed with the computer program SPSS 17.0 in terms of the SD. The findings were as follows: body mass index (BMI), 22.00 (2.66) kg/m 2 ; body fat percentage, 12.20% (3.07%); endomorphic component, 2.9 (1.30); mesomorphic component, 4.25 (1.30); and ectomorphic component, 3.10 (1.30). The cormic index was 51.99% (1.88%); Monourier index, 92.39% (4.47%); Acromio-iliac index, 60.87% (6.61%); Martine index, 6.29% (0.70%); Biacromial index, 22.58% (0.99%); and hip index, 13.91% (0.86%). The mesomorphic component was found to be dominant in our study. Although BMIs were found to be normal, body fat percentages were low. According to body pro- portions, the athletes who participated in this study had wide shoulders, narrow hips, and medium-sized trunks

Acute static stretching with different volumes improves hamstring flexibility but not reactive strength index and leg stiffness in well-trained judo athletes

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different volumes of static stretching exercises (SS) on the reactive strength index (RSI), leg stiffness (Kleg), and hamstring flexibility in well-trained judo athletes. Method: In total, 17 international level judo athletes (11 women and 6 men; age, 20.47 ± 1.59 years; experience in judo, 11.35 ± 1.84 years) were recruited for this study. The athletes completed three different SS sessions named low (LV–SS: 3.5 min), moderate (MV–SS: 7 min), and high volumes (HV–SS: 10.5 min), 72 h apart, in a randomized crossover study. Before and after each SS exercise session, hamstring flexibility, RSI and Kleg were evaluated by a sit-and-reach test and a Myotest accelerometric system, respectively. Results: Different volumes of SS exercises improved hamstring flexibility (p .05). Different volumes of SS exercises neither improved nor reduced RSI and Kleg (p > .05). Conclusion: Judo athletes can use LV–SS, MV–SS, or HV-SS for hamstring flexibility enhancement, and SS exercises can be used as a part of a warm-up session prior to judo training or competition

ACUTE RESIDUAL EFFECTS OF SHORT AND LONG DURATION STATIC STRETCHING ON COUNTER MOVEMENT JUMP PERFORMANCES IN WELL-TRAINED FEMALE COMBAT ATHLETES

Duration of static stretching is the most crucial factor associated with static stretch-induced impairments in explosive muscular performances. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute residual effects of lower body short (S-SS) and long duration static stretching protocols (L-SS) on counter movement jump (CMJ) performances in skilled female combat athletes. Twelve well-trained female combat athletes (training experience: 11.5 ∓ 3.6 years) performed S-SS (6 min of total stretch duration) and L-SS (12 min of total stretch duration) separated by 48 hours in a randomized, balanced order. After each protocol, participants performed, respectively, counter movement jump with arm swing (CMJAS) and with hands on hip (CMJHH) separated by 30-second rest interval at the 15th second and 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th minute of the 20-minute recovery period. An insignificant interaction effect was found for Protocol × Time in CMJ heights (p = 0.722) indicating that both S-SS and L-SS reduced CMJ heights to a similar extent over the course of 20 min recovery period. S-SS and L-SS led to a mean CMJ height reduction of 6.29% (p < 0.05, d = 0.603) and 6.74% (p < 0.05, d = 0.610), respectively. Greater than 50% of participants experienced a reduction in CMJAS height exceeding minimum detectable change score with 90% confidence at each time point during the recovery period without exception. Use of static stretching protocols ≥ 6 minutes prior to competitions and/or training sessions may lead to impairment in lower body explosive strength of well-trained female combat athletes that persists at least 20 minutes. This impairment may also indirectly hinder their sport-specific performance since combat sports include a great deal of movement patterns related to lower body explosive strength.   Article visualizations

İlkokul Birinci Sınıfa Geçiş Sırasında Okula Uyum Etkinliklerinin Katkısı: Ankara İli Örneği

The importance of programs that facilitate the transition of students to elementary school in order to support both their academic success and healthy development is undeniable. Therefore, the Ministry of National Education developed the School Adjustment Program in cooperation with UNICEF for first graders and implemented it in all elementary schools in Turkey. The aim of the present study is to examine the contribution of this program to school adjustment, student-teacher relations, peer relations, and various behaviors of elementary school students in first grade. The participants of the study, which is based on ex-post facto design, include 110 classroom teachers working in schools in Ankara during the 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 academic years. While 48 of these teachers implemented the adjustment program activities in their classrooms in 2015; others did not implement these activities in their classrooms in 2016. All the teachers filled in the School Adjustment Teacher Rating Scale, Student–Teacher Relationship Scale, and Child Behavior Scale (683 students engaged in the activities and 520 students did not) to evaluate how various aspects of their students’ transition were affected by the program. One-way MANOVA analysis showed that the study group had higher mean scores for collaborative participation, liking school, self-directedness, and closeness to the teacher than the comparison group. Although the aggressive and prosocial behavior scores towards peers were higher in the study group, the partial effect sizes were found to be insignificant. While the scores of school avoidance and conflict with teachers were lower in the study group than in the comparison group, there was no difference between the groups in their scores for asocial behaviors towards peers, hyperactivity/distraction, anxiety/fear, and exclusion by peers. It was concluded that the program contributed to the establishment of close student–teacher relationships in the selected schools and the adjustment of the students to the schools.Öğrencilerin gerek akademik başarılarını gerekse sağlıklı gelişimlerini desteklemek için ilkokula geçişlerini kolaylaştırıcı programların önemi yadsınamaz. Türkiye'de bu amaçla ilkokul birinci sınıf öğrencilerine yönelik Okula Uyum Programı geliştirilmiş ve tüm ilkokullarda uygulanmaya başlanmıştır. Bu araştırmanın amacı uygulanan bu programın ilkokul birinci sınıf öğrencilerinin okula uyum, öğretmen - öğrenci ilişkileri, akran ilişkileri ve çeşitli davranışlarına olan katkısını incelemektir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, ex-post facto desene dayalı yapılan bu araştırmanın katılımcıları, 2015-2016 ve 2016 - 2017 eğitim öğretim yıllarında Ankara ilinde aynı okullarda çalışan 110 ilkokul öğretmendir. Bu öğretmenlerden 48’i 2015 yılında uyum programında yer alan etkinlikleri sınıflarında uygularken; diğerleri 2016 yılında bu etkinlikleri sınıflarında uygulamamışlardır. Öğretmenlerin tümü öğrencilerinin uyumlarını değerlendirmek üzere Okula Uyum Öğretmen Derecelendirme Ölçeği, Öğrenci-Öğretmen İlişkileri Ölçeği ve Çocuk Davranışı Ölçeğini (etkinlik uygulanan grupta 683 öğrenci, uygulanmayan grupta 520 öğrenci) derecelendirmişlerdir. Tek yönlü MANOVA analizi, programa katılanların işbirlikçi katılım, okulu sevme, kendi kendini yönetme ve öğretmene yakınlık puan ortalamalarının karşılaştırma grubundan daha yüksek olduğunu göstermiştir. Çalışma grubunda akranlara yönelik saldırgan ve prososyal davranış puanları, karşılaştırma grubundan daha yüksek olmasına rağmen kısmi etki büyüklükleri önemsiz bulunmuştur. Çalışma grubunda okuldan kaçınma ve öğretmenlerle çatışma puanları karşılaştırma grubundan daha düşükken; akranlara yönelik asosyal davranışlar, hiperaktivite dikkat dağınıklığı, kaygı/korku duyma ve akranların dışlaması puanlarında gruplar arasında bir fark bulunmamıştır. Programın seçilen okullarda yakın öğretmen-öğrenci ilişkilerinin kurulmasına ve öğrencilerin okula uyum sağlamasına katkı sağladığı sonucuna varılmıştır

Comparison of the Effect of Passive and Active Recovery, and Self-Myofascial Release Exercises on Lactate Removal and Total Quality of Recovery

Recovery from exercise-induced fatigue is crucial for subsequent performance. Self-myofascial release (SMR) using a foam roller is an alternative to active recovery (AR). This study aims to compare the effects of passive recovery (PR), AR, and SMR on blood lactate [La-] removal and total quality of recovery (TQR). Twenty-two well trained male athletes (age: 22.6±2.9 years) underwent three testing sessions conducted 72 hours apart but at the same time of each day in a randomized order. After determining resting [La-] and heart rate (HR), the subjects completed a Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT), triggering muscular fatigue. HR and [La-] were measured threeminutes after the WAnT, following which the subjects underwent one of the three different recovery interventions over 15 minutes: PR (lying supine), AR (cycling at 40% of the estimated maximum HR of the respective subject), and SMR (using foam roller on lower extremity muscles). After each recovery intervention, [La-], HR, and TQR were measured. There was no statistically significant difference in [La-] and HR values obtained before the WAnT test (p=0.368, p=0.691, respectively) and right after the WAnT test (0.264, p=0.629) Both AR and SMR were more effective than PR for [La-] removal and obtaining a higher TQR (p0.05). In contrast, a significantly higher TQR was observed with SMR than AR and PR (p<0.001). Athletes can apply AR or SMR to recover from strenuous exercise. SMR can be an alternative to PR and AR as a recovery tool