Suatu Kajian Untuk Menentukan Jenis Somatotaip dan Peratusan Lemak Badan di Kalangan Pemain-Pemain Bola Keranjang Wanita Kebangsaan Malaysia

Kajian dijalankan untuk menentukan jenis somatotaip di kalangan pemainpemain bola keranjang wanita kebangsaan (PPBKWK) berlandaskan bentuk badan fizikal manusia yang telah dikemukakan oleh Sheldon. Ukuran telah dibuat berdasarkan kaedah yang telah disarankan oleh "Health dan Carter". Selain daripada itu, tahap peratusan lemak badan di kalangan pemain-pemain ini juga ditentukan berdasarkan ukuran lipatan kulit sejumlah tujuh lokasi yang telah dikemukakan oleh Pollock, Jackson dan Schmidt. Kajian mendapati bahawa secara keseluruhannya PPBKWK mempunyai komponen somatotaip mesomorfi-endomorfi. Dapatan ini adalah sama dengan dapatan yang telah dikemukakan oleh beberapa orang pengkaji yang menjalankan kajian ke atas pemain-pemain bola keranjang wanita elit di Amerika Syarikat.Narnun, pemain-pemain yang bermain di posisi yang berlainan didapati rnemiliki tiga skala komponen somatotaip (endomorfi, mesomorfi dan ektomorfi) yang berbeza di antara satu sama lain. Selain daripada itu, perbezaan peratusan lemak badan juga dapat dikesan di kalangan pemain-pemain ini. Kajian yang pernah dijalankan ke atas pemain-pemain bola keranjang wanita elit rnendapati bahawa peratusan lemak badan di kalangan pernain-pernain elit di Amerika Syarikat adalah di antara 10.00% hingga 16.00 %, manakala kajian ini mendapati bahawa PPBKWK mempunyai pertusuan lemak badan di antara 19.68% hingga 26.20%

The impact of an eight-week aerobic and strength-training programme on agility and leg power of Malaysian netball players

The purposes of the study were: (1) to determine the agility and leg power among Malaysian national junior netball players and (2) to determine the impact of eight-week aerobic and strength-training programme on these two variables. A total of 21 netball players from Bukit Jalil Sport School were selected as the subjects in this study. The SEMO Agility Run test was used to determine the agility level while leg power was measured using the Vertical Jump test. Pre-test and post-test results showed no significant differences in the agility and leg power level among the netball players. The mean values for the agility and leg power post-test were 12.59 (SD = 0.56) seconds and 50.24 (SD = 4.90) cm respectively. The pre-test and post-test results for different playing positions recorded the highest improvement in agility and leg power among attacker, followed by centre, and defender. Thus, the training conducted in this study was found to have improved agility and leg power marginally, especially among attacker and centre netball players

The role of culture in quality improvement in the intensive care unit: a literature review

Improving the quality of patient care and patient outcomes is a major concern internationally. In a developing health care system, implementing quality improvement is challenging due not only to resource and workforce issues but also cultural factors. Using the method of a focussed literature review, this paper discusses the importance of assessing a societal view of culture, social mores and customs, and power relationships in quality improvement activities using the intensive care unit as an exemplar. We conclude that implementing quality improvement strategies in a developing health care system needs to address the broader perspectives of social and cultural systems particularly hierarchical relationships and issues of non-disclosure

Effects of 8 weeks single set versus multiple-set resistance training on upper and lower body muscular strength among untrained males in Iran

It is generally accepted that the implementation of high-intensity resistance exercise training can cause several physiological adaptations such as strength and in recent years, many individuals have been attracted to weight training to increase the strength. One of the most important variables which affect strength improvement is training system and two common systems of resistance exercise training are single set and multiple sets. Choosing which training system is better is still open to question. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks single set versus multiple sets resistance exercise training on upper and lower body muscular strength among untrained male adults. Twenty-four healthy untrained males (age: 20.5 ± 1.8 years, body height: 174.9 ± 4.2 cm, body mass: 72.3 ± 3.2 kg, and body fat mass percentage: %18.2 ± 1.3) were randomly selected and assigned into two groups: single set (SS) and multiple sets (MS). Both groups trained for eight weeks with 70-80% of 1RM with 8-10 repetitions for 3 days per week which SS and MS groups performed one set and three sets of each exercise, respectively. Upper and lower body muscular strength using one-repetition maximum were measured before and after the intervention. Results reported there were significant increases in upper and lower body muscular strength in both groups after the intervention (p < 0.05), and upper and lower body muscular strength increased more significantly in MS group compared with SS group (%12.70 increase in SS group and %23.43 in MS group). The results showed MS resistance exercise training had a better effect significantly to improve upper and lower body muscular strength after 8 weeks of resistance exercise training among untrained male adults

Physical activity and health promoting lifestyle among bachelor of nursing students in Malaysia

Promoting healthy lifestyle among nurses is important because they play a crucial role in health promotion. The aims of this study are to assess the physical activity level and health-promoting lifestyle among Bachelor of nursing students in Malaysia. This study involved 66 student nurses who are currently pursuing a Bachelor degree in the local government universities. The YAMAX Digi-Walker pedometer was used to measure physical activity level, while the Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile II questionnaire was used to measure the nursing student’s health-promoting lifestyle. The HPLP II consists of six sub-scales which include health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management. Results showed that majority of the Bachelor of nursing students were categorised as “somewhat active” and lower with the mean of 7487.88±SD1900.75 step taken per day. Results of Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II showed that the Bachelor of nursing students are reported to have a positive health-promoting lifestyle with an overall mean score of 2.61±SD0.36. The highest mean score was reported in the spiritual growth with a score of 3.07±SD0.40, followed by interpersonal relations with a score of 2.93±SD0.40, and stress management with mean a score of 2.67±SD0.41. This study has discovered worrying signs of low physical activities level among the Bachelor of nursing students in two universities in Malaysia which may need immediate attention by the health care authorities. Immediate remedial is recommended to overcome the current status of physical activities level among the nursing students which may have an impact on the future health of the Malaysian general populations

Body fat comparison between basketball and netball players in Malaysia

The aim of the study was to compare the body fat percentages between Malaysian national women basketball players and netball players. Both basketball and netball players were elite players who represented Malaysia in the 1997 Southeast Asia Games in Jakarta, Indonesia and the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. The percentage of body fat was determined by means of skinfold measurement at seven different locations. Results of the findings showed that overall, the basketball players had higher percentages of body fat than netball players. The average percentages of body fat of basketball and netball players were 19.68 ± 4.93% and 18.93 ± 4.41%, respectively. Both Malaysian national basketball and netball players' average percentage of body fat were found to be higher than the ideal average percentage of body fat range between 10-16% for female athletes in elite team sports. The players in the defence position in basketball were found to have the highest percentage of body fat (23.00%), followed by centre position players (21.62%) and attack position players (15.10%). These results differed from netball players' in similar playing positions. Among the netball players, the defence position players had the highest percentage of body fat (21.00%), followed by attack position players (18.63%), and centre position players (16.57%)

Nurses’ perceptions of the sustainability of a standardised assessment for preventing complications in a ICU: a qualitative study

Background: Quality improvement projects have been widely adopted to prevent complications in the ICU. Objective: This paper describes nurses' perceptions of implementation strategies and the potential sustainability of a practice change intervention to prevent complications in a Malaysian ICU. Design: A participatory action research using five focus group discussions were undertaken with 19 nurses in a single ICU in regional Malaysia. Focus group transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The main themes derived from the interviews were: [1] Empowering staff to embrace evidence-based practices; [2] Staff knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that impact on behaviour; and [3] management support and leadership are influential in staff behaviours (acceptance & perseverance of change process). Discussion: Resistance to change was recognized as a barrier to adopting evidence based recommendations. There is a need to improve nurses' knowledge, attitude and awareness of the importance of assessment for VAP, CRBSI and PIs in the ICU

Physical profile comparison between basketball and netball players in Malaysia based on performance and playing position

The aim of the research is to compare the physical profile between Malaysian women basketball players and netball players. The physical profile measures were height, body mass, and body fat. The subjects were divided into two groups based on their playing performance and positions. The playing performance consisted of elite/senior, junior, and reserve players. Meanwhile, the playing positions consisted of forward/attack, centre, and guard/defence. The percentage of body fat was determined by means of skinfold measurement at seven different locations. Results showed that there were significant differences in body fat percentage between basketball player and netball players (p < 0.01). The elite/senior basketball players were reported to have the lowest body fat percentage as compared to other basketball or netball players. While for the playing position, guard/defence position basketball players were reported to be the shortest and have the lowest body fat percentage as compared to other playing positions. In conclusion, Malaysian basketball players were found to have better physical or bodily advantaged in terms of playing contact sports as compared to the Malaysian netball players

Effects of 12 weeks combined weight and chain versus combined weight and elastic band variable resistance training on upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance among untrained males in Iran

Several studies have shown a positive association between variable resistance training (VRT) and the improvement of muscular performance. However, the most effective method of VRT to improve muscular performance in untrained individuals remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of two methods of VRT on maximal muscular strength and endurance among untrained male adults. Fifty apparently healthy untrained males (age: 21.5 ± 1.95 years) were selected randomly and assigned into three groups: combined weight and chain (WC), combined weight and elastic band (WE), and freeweight (CG). All three groups completed 12 weeks of high intensity resistance training (70-80% of one-repetition maximum) with three sets of 8-12 repetitions, two times per week. Approximately 65% of the whole resistance was provided by free-weights and the other 35% of the resistance was provided by chains and elastic bands for WC and WE groups, respectively. Dependent variables including maximal muscular strength and endurance using one-repetition maximum and maximum repetitions to muscular fatigue were measured, respectively, in the pre-test, post-test 1 (week 6) and post-test 2. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. No differences existed among all groups at baseline for dependent variables. A mixed model ANOVA with repeated measurements analysis revealed that all groups showed significant improvements in maximal muscular strength and endurance during and after the intervention (P = 0.0001). In WE and WC groups, maximal muscular strength and endurance were significantly greater than CG group during and after the intervention, and there were no significant differences between WE and WC groups in the maximal muscular strength and endurance during and after the intervention. However, the WE group showed an insignificant more improvement in maximal muscular strength and endurance compared with WC group after the intervention (chest press strength: 47.94 ± 4.2 vs. 46.76 ± 4.4 kg, squat strength: 85.29 ± 6.5 vs. 80.73 ± 6.4 kg, chest press endurance: 16.94 ± 1.24 vs. 15.47 ± 1.58 repetitions, and squat endurance: 17.94 ± 0.74 vs. 16.58 ± 1.66 repetitions). The results of this study show that VRT has a significant better effect than freeweight resistance training to improve upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance during and after 12 weeks intervention, in particular, WE training has a slightly better effect than WC training to improve upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance after 12 weeks of VRT among untrained male adults in Iran

Comparison between two methods of variable resistance training on body composition, muscular strength and functional capacity among untrained males

Several studies have shown a positive association between variable resistance training (VRT) and improvements in muscular performance. However, the effects of VRT on body composition among untrained individuals remain unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the comparison between of methods of VRT on body composition, muscular strength and functional capacity among untrained male adults. Fifty healthy untrained males (age: 21.5 ± 1.95 years) were selected randomly and assigned into three groups: combined weight and chain (WC), combined weight and elastic band (WE), and free-weight (CG). All three groups completed 12 weeks of high intensity resistance training (70-80% of one-repetition maximum) with three sets of 8-12 repetitions two times per week. Approximately 65% of the whole resistance was provided by free-weights, while the other 35% of the resistance was provided by chains and elastic bands for the WC and WE groups, respectively. Dependent variables including body composition, muscular strength and functional capacity using bioelectrical impedance analyzer, one-repetition maximum and maximum repetitions to muscular fatigue were measured, respectively in pre-test, post-test 1 (week 6) and post-test 2. Significance level was set at P 0.05), all groups showed a significant reduction in fat mass and significant increase in fat-free mass during and after the intervention (P = 0.0001), and these differences were insignificantly greater in WE and WC groups compared with CG group. Furthermore, all three groups showed significant improvements in muscular strength and functional capacity during and after intervention (P = 0.0001), and muscular strength and functional capacity were greater in WE and WC groups compared with the CG group, but there were not significant differences in muscular strength and functional capacity between WE and WC groups. However, the WE group showed insignificantly more improvement in muscular strength and functional capacity compared with the WC group during and after the intervention. The results of this study show that VRT has a slightly better effect than free-weight to improve body composition during and after 12 weeks intervention. Also, WE training had a slightly better effect than WC training in improving muscular strength and functional capacity during and after 12 weeks of VRT among untrained male adults