Social capital and physical activity participation among Turkish adolescents in urban centres: a preliminary study

This study investigated the association between social capital (SC) indicators and physical activity (PA) participation among high school aged Turkish adolescents, in the mid-size urban city centre. Participants included 228 female and 292 male adolescents. Short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure overall and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity participation (OPAP & MVPAP) status as dependent variables. Self-perceived family, neighbourhood and school SC. Weight status, self-perceived socioeconomic status (SES, and self-rated health were included in the analyses. Chi-square test results revealed that OPAP and MVPAP status were significantly different between males and females. Multiple binary logistic regression analyses indicated that family support was positively associated with OPAP, while students’ interpersonal trust was inversely associated with OPAP and MVPAP among females. Self-rated health was associated with OPAP and MVPAP for the overall sample and male adolescents. SC indicators are associated with physical activity participation in various ways for female adolescents, yet are not associated with physical activity participation among male adolescents. These results could be useful for interventions and policies to increase and shift SC for the promotion of physical activity participation in adolescents in developing country context.Keywords: Social capital; Physical activity; Adolescent health; Turkey; Developing countr

Does foot posture influence plantar pressure?

This study compared plantar pressure distribution among asymptomatic individuals with pes rectus, pes cavus and pes planus feet during walking. Feet were divided into three groups based on the arch index (AI) values: Pes cavus (n=38); Pes rectus (n=72); Pes planus (n=62). Force time integral (FTI), maximal force (MF), peak pressure(PP), pressure-time integral (PTI), contact time (CT), contact area (CA), and maximum force normalised to body weight[MF(%BW)] were evaluated for each part of the foot and total foot during barefoot walking. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed. Peak pressure at the 5th metatarsophalangeal joints (MTPJs) in the pes planus foot group was lower compared to the pes rectus and pes cavus foot groups. The pes planus group displayed increased MF and CA in the middle foot while walking compared to the pes rectus and pes cavus groups(p<0.05). When compared to pes rectus and planus feet, cavus feet displayed higher pressure in the hind foot and lateral forefoot and lower PP, MF and CA in the midfoot (p<0.05). High and low arch structures display different plantar pressure characteristics that may be linked to lower extremity injuries. When designing a prophylactic exercise programme for asymptomatic individuals, foot types and associated pressure characteristics should be considered

Effects of functional balance training on static and dynamic balance performance of adolescent soccer players

Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of functional balance training on static and dynamic balance performance, kicking velocity and to define the relationship between balance ability and kicking velocity of adolescent soccer players.Material and Methods: Sixteen male players randomly divided into 2 groups (Control Group: age 14,23±0,44; Training Group: age 14,31±0,48). While the control group (n=8) followed regular soccer training, the training group (n=8) performed a functional balance training program additively. The balance training was performed on both stable ground and unstable surface (BOSU ball). SportKat2000 system were used to elicit static and dynamic balance scores of right, left and both leg stance of the soccer players.Results: All static balance variables (dominant, non-dominant and both leg) of training group and one variable (non-dominant leg) of control group showed statistically significant differences (p<0,05) after training. Dynamic dominant leg scores of training group and dynamic non-dominant leg scores of control group were statistically significant as well. Ball velocity of training group improved %5.6 in training group and %3.7 in control group. Besides, dominant leg ball velocity correlated with dynamic dominant (p<0.05; r: -0,767) and both leg (p<0.05; r: -0,787) balance ability for training group. Non-dominant ball velocity also correlated with dynamic dominant (p<0.01; r: -0,844) and dynamic non-dominant leg (p<0.05; r: -0,778) balance ability in training group after training period.Conclusion: As a conclusion, functional balance training performed three times in a week positively affect the balance ability and kicking performance of adolescent soccer players