Timing of Goals Scored in Selected European and South American Football Leagues, FIFA and UEFA Tournaments and the Critical Phases of a Match

The purpose of this study was to analyze the timing of goals scored in various soccer leagues around Europe and South America, as well as Federation of International Football Associations’ (FIFA) World Cup, Confederation Cup, Union of European Football Associations’ (UEFA) Champions League and EURO 2012 matches to derive the latest trends with the hope of improving team preparation for matches and game management by coaches. The study derived data from http://www.soccerstats.com and www.fifa.com data bases. The analysis centered on the big five European leagues including England’s Barclays Premier League, Spain’s la liga, Germany’s Bundesliga, Italy’s Serie A, France’s lique one; UEFA’s Champions League and EURO 2012; Argentina, Brazil and Chile from South America; The FIFA world cup tournaments and the confederations’ cup with regard to the timing of goals at 15 minute intervals. Data were analyzed and descriptively presented in form of tables and figure. The results showed that more goals were consistently scored in the second half especially in the last 15 minutes of normal regulation time than any other period of the game. It was concluded that the last 15 minutes of soccer matches is a critical phase of the game hence coaches need to prepare their players and manage the game so as to remain at their peak level throughout a match by enhancing their physical and mental conditioning coupled with timely use of substitutions and game management strategies depending on the score at hand

Analysis of goals scored in the 2010 world cup soccer tournament held in South Africa

Purpose: To analyze the pattern and trends of the goals scored during the 2010 world cup soccer tournament held in South Africa to derive the latest technical and tactical innovations with the hope of applying them at the lower echelons of the game. Methodology: The study was a retrospective one as data were derived from the FIFA (2010) data base. The analysis centered on number of goals; parts of the body used to score; distance from goal; timing of goals in minutes; nature of play preceding a goal; score at half time and winning of the game; open play and set pieces; and the position of the scorers. Data were analyzed and descriptively presented in form of tables and figures. Results: The scoring rate of the world cup was 2.27 goals per match, which is the second lowest in the history of the world cup which was inaugurated in 1930. There were more goals from open play (75.86%) than from set pieces (24.14%); most goals came via shots (108) rather headers (26); strikers scored majority of the goals (53.10%), followed by midfielders (34.48) and defenders (11.04%); more goals were scored in the second half especially in the last 15 minutes of normal regulation time and more goals were scored from within the penalty box than outside. Conclusions: Coaches have to focus on improving the technical and tactical build up into the penalty area; encourage more goal attempts within the penalty box; emphasize and perfect set piece execution; prudently utilize substitution to impact the game in the second half, perfect crossing and headers and to enhance the physical conditioning of the players to enable them play out the entire game without suffering physical deterioration which causes teams to make defensive errors leading to goals in the last 15 minutes of matches

Challenges of Being a Black Student Athlete on U.S. College Campuses

The purpose of this Literature review article is to examine the social, cultural, individual and institutional racist factors that pose challenges to many African American college athletes, both men and women, to develop skills outside sports that are necessary to succeed in college and life. The passion for athletics by Black youth has to be positioned within the wider racist environment that one is exposed to while growing up. The dominant presence of Blacks in the high profile sports of football, basketball and track and field while having lower graduation rates compared to White athletes deserves scholarly interrogation. This article uses the Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Student Involvement Theory frameworks to explain the phenomena of Black student athletes in College and the challenges that they encounter as they pursue both athletic and academic success. Based on Edwards’ (2000) contextualization of the Black athlete which is premised on the Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Astin’s (1984) Student Involvement Theory (SIT), this article examines the following issues: The legacy of racism and discrimination; Black athletes and labor on campus; sport and race ideology; graduation rates and the academic challenges faced by Black student athletes. The academic challenges that Black athletes face while pursuing a dual objective of excelling in athletics and getting a college education are situated within the racial laden learning environment characterizing the Predominantly White Colleges (PWC) in the U.S. This paper contends that society, institutions of higher learning and the individual student have to collaborate so as to put the athlete on a path to success in college and in life

Physical demands of soccer: Lessons from team USA and Ghana matches in the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Purpose: Distance covered and the intensity patterns of player movements using selected matches involving the national teams of United States of America and Ghana in the World Cup Soccer Tournament held in South Africa from June 11th to July 11th 2010. Methodology: A total of eight matches played by nine teams were used in the study. Team USA played against England, Slovenia, Algeria and Ghana. The national team of Ghana played against Germany, Australia, Serbia, USA and Uruguay. The eight matches comprised 12.5% of all matches played while the nine countries comprised 32% of all the tournament participating countries. Results: The results showed that soccer players on average covered 9.3 Kilometres to 13.476 per match. The United States of America players, on average, covered 10.76 km while those for Ghana covered 10.49km. Overall, the low activity movements dominated (84.1%), followed by high intensity (8.3%) and medium intensity (7.6%). However, the intensity patterns for United States of America’s players were 83.5%, 8.75% and 7.75% compared to the players from Ghana, who, were characterized by 85% low. 7.8% high and 7.2% low intensity movements respectively. Conclusions: It is apparent that soccer is an intermittent sport demanding high amounts of aerobic ability as well as anaerobic movements. Training must therefore target to develop both the aerobic as well as the anaerobic energy sources if players’ performance is not to diminish towards the end of the matches

College undergraduate students’ self-rating of their physical activity involvement over a 7-day period

Purpose: To establish the college undergraduate students’ self-rated physical activity involvement over a 7-day period. Methodology: The study utilized the survey method using the International Physical Activity Short Version of the Questionnaire (IPAQ). The purpose of the questionnaires is to provide a common instrument that can be used to obtain internationally comparable data on health-related physical activity. The study was undertaken at a medium sized campus in the South Western part of U.S.A., with respondents drawn from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Results: A total of 220 students responded to the questionnaire. Most of the respondents, 182 (82.73%) commuted to campus; most, 128 (58.18%) were aged between 21 and 30; and the majority, 137 (62.27%) were females, 9 (4.09%) were freshmen, 39 (17.73%) sophomores, 114 (51.82%) juniors and 58 (26.36%) senior undergraduate students. Regarding the frequency of engaging in vigorous physical activity, the study established that 75 (34.09%) students did it less than two times a week, with 19 (8.64%) of them reporting zero involvement, 107 (48.64%) did between 3 to 5 days and 38 (17.27%) did it almost daily ie. more than six times a week. Regarding participation in moderate physical activity, 89 (40.45%) reported only for less than two days with 13 (5.91%) indicating zero participation; 96 (43.64%) reported participation between 3 to 5 days; and 35 (15.91%) did for more than six days a week. Students were also asked to indicate the number of days they managed to walk for at least 10 minutes at a time, and 47 (21.36%) indicated less than two times with 19 (8.64%) indicating no time at all; 66 (30%) indicated 3 to 5 days and 107 (48.64%) indicated doing it more than six times a week. Conclusions: Overall, the majority of the respondents regularly engaged in walking, moderate and vigorous physical activity on most days of the week. One limitation of this study is the fact that the data was self-reported by the participants. Self-reporting could entail either under-reporting or exaggerating. Additionally, there is need to study a more diverse student population drawn from multiple institutions and where possible drawn from different states and countries

Students\u27 perspectives on online and face-to-face components of a blended course design in Health and Kinesiology at a South Western Public University in the USA

Introduction: The current higher education environment in the United States of America (USA) and worldwide is focused on providing people an opportunity to access a quality education at a competitive price and one that is flexible enough to meet the needs of a diverse student demographic. It is therefore necessary for course delivery methods to accommodate these diverse needs without sacrificing rigor necessary for accreditation due to the diverse backgrounds, occupations, and time constraints of students in today’s environment Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the students’ perception of the online and face-to-face components of a blended course design at a South Western Public University in the USA. Methods and material: The sample of this study consisted of 200 students drawn from four different blended courses in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at a medium sized public university in South West of USA. A modified questionnaire from Sitter et al., (2009) with 19 questions was used to collect responses from students. The survey instrument employed a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree (5), to strongly disagree (1). Results: Majority of the students have a positive view of the blended learning including the online and face-to-face components. A consistent minority of the students expressed disagreement especially pertaining to technology-based communication, preferred mode of delivery, online discussion participation and grade scores. Discussion: Although the majority of students perceived blended learning and its components positively, there is need for instructors to address the communication, technology, and online learning facilitation challenges if all learners are to learn effectively. Conclusions and recommendations: It is clear that the majority of students are ready and have accepted blended learning course designs at this medium sized public university in south west of the United States of America and therefore there is room for expansion of the initiative to benefit more students

Students’ perspectives on online and face-to-face components of a blended course design in Health and Kinesiology at a South Western Public University in the USA

Introduction: The current higher education environment in the United States of America (USA) and worldwide is focused on providing people an opportunity to access a quality education at a competitive price and one that is flexible enough to meet the needs of a diverse student demographic. It is therefore necessary for course delivery methods to accommodate these diverse needs without sacrificing rigor necessary for accreditation due to the diverse backgrounds, occupations, and time constraints of students in today’s environmentPurpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the students’ perception of the online and face-to-face components of a blended course design at a South Western Public University in the USA.Methods and material: The sample of this study consisted of 200 students drawn from four different blended courses in the Department of health and Kinesiology at a medium sized public university in South West of USA. A modified questionnaire from Sitter et al., (2009) with 19 questions was used to collect responses from students. The survey instrument employed a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree (5), to strongly disagree (1). Results: Majority of the students have a positive view of the blended learning including the online and face-to-face components. A consistent minority of the students expressed disagreement especially pertaining to technology-based communication, preferred mode of delivery, online discussion participation and grade scores.Discussion: Although the majority of students perceived blended learning and its components positively, there is need for instructors to address the communication, technology, and online learning facilitation challenges if all learners are to learn effectively.Conclusions and recommendations: It is clear that the majority of students are ready and have accepted blended learning course designs at this medium sized public university in south west of the United States of America and therefore there is room for expansion of the initiative to benefit more students

Walkable scores for selected three east Texas counties: physical activity and policy implications

Introduction: Physical activity has become an important intervention against overweight and obesity cases in the USA and worldwide. One key aspect of physical activity is walking, which has been identified as a component that can easily be incorporated into one’s lifestyle. Recent studies on physical activity have focused on promoting walking as a health enhancing endeavor. In 2010, the proportion of Texas adults who reported no participation in leisure time activity (26.7%) was significantly higher than the national average (24.4%). However, many Texans, like most Americans, are sedentary.Purpose: This study examined the walkability of the environments in selected counties in east Texas including Wood, Van Zandt and Smith counties.Methods and material: The data was drawn from the Walkscore.com and was based on all the zip codes in the three counties in east Texas. The community capitals were used a framework for analysis. Results: Only three (8.82%) zip codes had walkable scores between 70 and 89; five (14.71%) had scores between 50 and 69; four (11.76%) between 25 and 49 and 22 (64.71%) had a score below 24.Discussion: The vast majority (26, 76.47%) of zip codes are highly dependent on vehicle transport.Conclusions and recommendations: Stakeholders need therefore to focus on causes for the minimal walkability so that practical interventions are generated to enhance the physical activity friendly infrastructure so as to enhance the well-being of the residents in these three east Texas counties

Walkability in upper east Texas cities and implications for physical activity and health

Introduction: Physical activity is an important intervention strategy against the increasing cases of overweight and obesity in the USA and many other parts of the world. Walking has been identified as a component of physical activity that can easily be incorporated into one’s lifestyle. Recent studies on physical activity have focused on promoting walking as a health enhancing endeavor. Purpose: This study examined the walkability of the environments in 57 cities drawn from 22different counties in upper east Texas within the USA. Methods and materials: The data for all the 57 key cities in upper east Texas were collected from the Walkscore.com. Results: It was established that 13 (22.8%) of the cities had walkable scores below 24%; 26 (45.6%) had between 25 and 49; 13 (22.8%) between 51 and 69; 4 (7%) had between 70 and 89, and onlyone city had a score of 91. Discussion: The vast majority of cities (39, 68.42%) had walkable scores that show a high dependability on vehicle transport; with only 5 (8.8%) cities being rated as very walkable or a walker’s paradise. This reflects a high dependence on vehicles in the upper east Texas region and therefore minimal walking. Recommendations: There is need to actively pursue an agenda that promotes infrastructural investments that can bring about ease of walking and accessibility of community services at close range. Stakeholders need to collectively come together to generate interventions that can enhance the well-being of the residents in of upper east Texas

Walkable scores for selected three east Texas counties: physical activity and policy implications

Introduction: Physical activity has become an important intervention against overweight and obesity cases in the USA and worldwide. One key aspect of physical activity is walking, which has been identified as a component that can easily be incorporated into one’s lifestyle. Recent studies on physical activity have focused on promoting walking as a health enhancing endeavor. In 2010, the proportion of Texas adults who reported no participation in leisure time activity (26.7%) was significantly higher than the national average (24.4%). However, many Texans, like most Americans, are sedentary. Purpose: This study examined the walkability of the environments in selected counties in east Texas including Wood, Van Zandt and Smith counties. Methods and material: The data was drawn from the Walkscore.com and was based on all the zip codes in the three counties in east Texas. The community capitals were used a framework for analysis. Results: Only three (8.82%) zip codes had walkable scores between 70 and 89; five (14.71%) had scores between 50 and 69; four (11.76%) between 25 and 49 and 22 (64.71%) had a score below 24. Discussion: The vast majority (26, 76.47%) of zip codes are highly dependent on vehicle transport. Conclusions and recommendations: Stakeholders need therefore to focus on causes for the minimal walkability so that practical interventions are generated to enhance the physical activity friendly infrastructure so as to enhance the well-being of the residents in these three east Texas counties