Author Correction: Characterization of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Otavio Cabral-Marques which was incorrectly given as Otavio Marques Cabral. The original Article has been corrected

The effects of a 6-week strength training on critical velocity, anaerobic running distance, 30-m sprint and yo-yo intermittent running test performances in male soccer players

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of a moderate intensity strength training on changes in critical velocity (CV), anaerobic running distance (D'), sprint performance and Yo-Yo intermittent running test (Yo-Yo IR1) performances. Methods: two recreational soccer teams were divided in a soccer training only group (SO; n = 13) and a strength and soccer training group (ST; n = 13). Both groups were tested for values of CV, D', Yo-Yo IR1 distance and 30-m sprint time on two separate occasions (pre and post intervention). The ST group performed a concurrent 6-week upper and lower body strength and soccer training, whilst the SO group performed a soccer only training. Results: after the re-test of all variables, the ST demonstrated significant improvements for both, YoYo IR1 distance (p = 0.002) and CV values (p<0.001) with no significant changes in the SO group. 30-m sprint performance were slightly improved in the ST group with significantly decreased performance times identified in the SO group (p<0.001). Values for D' were slightly reduced in both groups (ST -44.5 m, 95% CI = -90.6 to 1.6; SO -42.6 m, 95% CI = -88.7 to 3.5). Conclusions: combining a 6-week moderate strength training with soccer training significantly improves CV, Yo-Yo IR1 whilst moderately improving 30-m sprint performances in non-previously resistance trained male soccer players. Critical Velocity can be recommended to coaches as an additional valid testing tool in soccer

Physical Characteristics and Somatotype of Soccer Players According to Playing Level and Position

The purpose of this study was to assess the physical characteristics of soccer players according to playing level and position. A total of 305 professional male soccer players [Turkish Super League (SL) (n = 161) and Turkish First League (FL) (n = 144)] were involved in this study. All data were gathered at the beginning of preparatory period of mid-season. Height, weight, flexed and tensed upper arm and calf girths, humerus and femur biepicondylar breadths, and four skinfold thicknesses (triceps, subscapular, supraspinale, and medial calf) were measured. Somatotypes were estimated using the Heath-Carter method. SL players were older (p = 0.497) was similar between SL and FL groups. There were significant differences for BW (p <= 0.000), and height (p <= 0.000) between playing positions. Goalkeepers were taller (p <= 0.000), and heavier (p <= 0.001) than other players. Midfielders were shorter (p <= 0.013) than other players, however, they were lighter than forwards (p <= 0.008). The mean somatotype of the overall players was 2.4-4.8-2.3 (0.9-0.8-0.7) in SL and was 3.0-4.5-2.6 (0.9-0.9-0.8) in FL. SL players were more mesomorphic (p <= 0.01), less endomorphic (p <= 0.000), and less ectomorphic (p <= 0.001) than FL players. Except for goalkeepers, there were significant differences in paired means between whole somatotype means of the SL and FL according to playing positions. The results of the present study demonstrate that both physical characteristics and somatotype of players were significantly different between playing levels and positions. Although the somatotype of soccer players in both levels was dominated by the mesomorph category, players at the higher playing level were more mesomorphic, and less endomorphic and ectomorphic than players at the lower level at all playing positions.WoSScopu

Match characteristics of professional outfield amputee soccer players during official amputee soccer matches

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate physiological responses and movement profiles of amputee soccer players during official matches. Material and Methods: Five outfield amputee soccer players with a 9.20±0.81 years of amputee soccer experience (age 28.60±5.32 years; height 1.71±0.05 m; body mass 71.54±9.39 kg) volunteered for this study. Physiological responses [blood lactate (BLa), heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)] and activity profiles [peak speed, total distance covered (TD), TD at five speed categories (SC), percentages of TD at five SC and time spent in four maximal heart rate (HRmax) zones] were analyzed during seven official amputee soccer matches. Results: Mean game BLa, RPE, HR and HRmax were 5.58±1.63 mmol.L-1, 9.43±2.62, and 151.77±16.05 bpm and 180.74±9.23 bmp, respectively. HRmax was higher in the first half than in the second half (p=0.02). Players covered 102.62±7.24 m.min-1 and this did not change between the halves during amputee soccer matches (p=0.40). TD at very low SC was 73.86±0.57 m.min-1 whereas TD at very high SC accounted only for 0.24±0.04 m.min-1. Similarly, the percentage of the TD at very low SC was 70.18±10.30% and the percentage of the TD at very high SC was 0.24±0.04%. Amputee soccer players spent ~31 min and ~15 min at high intensity and moderate HRmax zones, respectively. These accounted only about ~5 min at very low and low intensity HRmax zones during whole matches. Conclusion: These results showed that amputee soccer played at the professional level is a high-intensity exercise, which could be used to prescribe amputee soccer specific training regimes

CHRONOLOGICAL AGE AND EVENT DIFFERENCES IN ANAEROBIC PERFORMANCE OF YOUNG TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate anaerobic performance parameters in young competitive male and female athletes engaged in different events of Track and Field, and to compare them in relation to chronological age for each gender group. Fifty-six 12-to14-year-old girls and sixty-three 11-to16-year-old boys totally 119 athletes were participated in this study. Two event-specific-groups and three chronological-age-groups were constructed for each gender. Event-specific groups were composed of Group 1 (middle-long distance runners) and Group 2 (sprinters, throwers, jumpers). Age groups were consisted of 12, 13 and 14 years old girls, and 11-12, 13-14 and 15-16 years old boys. Body mass and stature were measured. Percentage of body fat and fat free mass were calculated from the appropriate equations. Anaerobic performance was assessed with the Wingate Anaerobic Test. Two-way Analysis of Variance (2×3) was used for statistical analysis. Both absolute and relative anaerobic performance and fatigue index values for each gender were significantly higher in the Group 2 than in the Group 1 (p0.05). However, the effects of age on absolute and relative values of anaerobic performance were not significant in female athletes (p>0.05). In conclusion, the level of anaerobic performance was altered depending on event specialization in young Track and Field athletes. This difference may demonstrate the effect of training specificity

Municipal solid waste: A potential source of clean energy for Khartoum State in Sudan

Sudan is a large African country with a land area of 1.882 million km2 and a population of 43 million people. The country has a fast-growing population, consistent migration from rural to urban areas, raised per-capita demand for power and fuels, and falling fossil-fuel production. Additional baseload or on-demand energy sources are needed to supply the Nile Valley system. The increasing silting of the different hydroelectricity dams is a problem for the future availability of hydroelectricity generation. Non-recyclable combustible municipal solid waste and other urban organic waste streams can be used to provide low-emission baseload electricity and a cost-effective supply of heat for industry. These wastes, which have the potential to be used as feedstocks for energy production, have already been gathered together in enormous quantities. The current landfill disposal method is becoming increasingly expensive, and it leads to several negative environmental impacts, such as methane emissions and air and water pollution. This research looks at how the non-recyclable combustible fraction of waste collected in Khartoum State can be used to generate considerable amounts of energy and industrial heat while reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This might be accomplished by employing and adopting efficient technologies that are extensively used elsewhere in the globe, as well as securing the additional benefits of more permanent jobs, fewer fossil fuel imports, and improved national resource security for Sudan