The impact of liquidity risk determinants on profitability: An empirical study on islamic banks in the Kingdom of Bahrain

The sustainability of the banking system depends on the profitability and capital adequacy. Practically, profitability and liquidity are effective indicators of the corporate health and performance of not only the Islamic commercial banks but all profit-oriented ventures. Therefore, liquidity risk is considered as one of the serious concerns and challenges for modern era banks. As the global financial crisis spread, Islamic banks in Kingdom of Bahrain began to be affected; all of a sudden, some of the biggest Islamic banks, such as the Bahrain Islamic Bank, the Gulf Finance House and the Ithmar Bank, ended up with net losses. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the significant determinants of liquidity risk on the profitability of Islamic commercial banks in Bahrain during the 2007-2013 periods as well as to assess the impact of the global financial crisis on the profitability of these banks during the recovery period. Multiple regressions analysis was applied. By using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) the results revealed that all the independent variables are significant with both models ROA and ROE except financial leverage and deposits have a statistically insignificant impact on ROA- Capital adequacy, financial leverage, deposits and GDP have a positive and significant impact; whereas bank size and the global financial crisis have a negative impact and are statistically significant. From these results, it is recommended that these banks control and manage properly these variables in order to create a high level of liquidity in the banks which would achieve a good profitability, leading to the sustainability of the financial banking syste

Training and fitness variability in elite youth soccer:perspectives from a difficulty prediction model

Research within sport science disciplines seeks to enhance performance via the combination of factors that influences the team’s periodization. The current study aimed to investigate the variations in training load (TL), and the consequential changes in fitness variables, based on the use of match difficulty prediction model (MDP), level of opposition (LOP), days between matches, and match location during 12 weeks in the competitive period I. Seventeen elite soccer players (age = 17.57 ± 0.49 years; body height 1.79 ± 0.05 m; body weight 72.21 ± 6.96 kg), have completed a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test, a running-based anaerobic sprint test, a soccer-specific repeated sprint ability, and a vertical jump test to identify changes in players fitness. TL was determined by multiplying the RPE of the session by its duration in minutes (s-RPE). Training monotony, strain, and acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) were also assessed. A simple regression model was conducted and the highest variances explained (R2) were used. The LOP score explained most of the variance in ACWR (r= 0.606, R2=0.37). TL declined significantly when compared the match-day by the first three days and the last three days of the week. No significant difference was found in s-RPE between the high and low MDP factor. Strong negative correlations were reported between ACWR and LOP (r=-0.714, p<.01). In addition, we found a significant improvement in repeated sprint ability, aerobic and anaerobic fitness variables between pre- and post-test in fatigue index (d=1.104), best testing time, ideal time, total time and mean-best (d=0.518-0.550), and aerobic and anaerobic fitness variables (p<.05), respectively. The MDP could facilitate the training prescription as well as the distribution of training intensities with high specificity, providing a long-term youth player’s development and allowing teams to maintain optimal fitness leading into more difficult matches

Exploratory study of the acute and mid-term effects of using a novel dynamic meeting environment (Aeris®) on cognitive performance and neurophysiological responses

The purpose of the present study was to assess the acute and mid-term effects of the dynamic aeris®-meeting- environment on brain activity, cognitive performance, heart rate variability (HRV), sleepiness, mental workload (EEG-MWI), as well as local experienced discomfort (LED) in healthy adults. Twenty-four healthy adults (16 females, age: 25.2 ± 3.1 years old) were randomly assigned to either the control (i.e., conventional meeting environment, CG) or experimental (Aeris® dynamic meeting-environment, DG) group with a 1:1 allocation. Participants reported to the laboratory on two test sessions separated by a 2-week intervention period (5 meetings of 90 min each week). Spontaneous resting EEG and HRV activities, as well as attentional (D2-R test) and vigilance (PVT) cognitive performances, sleepiness perceptions, and EEG-MWI, were recorded at the beginning of each test session and immediately following the 90-min meeting. The LED was measured pre- and post-intervention. The changes (Δ) from pre- to post-90 min meeting and from pre- to post- intervention were computed to further examine the acute and mid-term effects, respectively. Compared to the CG, the DG showed higher Δ (pre-post 90 min-meeting) in fronto-central beta (z = −2.41, p = 0.016, d = 1.10) and gamma (z = −2.34, p = 0.019, d = 0.94) frequencies at post-intervention. From pre- to post-intervention, only the DG group showed a significant increase in fronto-central gamma response (Δ) to the meeting session (z = −2.09, p = 0.04, d = 1.08). The acute use of the Aeris®-meeting-environment during the 90-min meeting session seems to be supportive for (i) maintaining vigilance performance, as evidenced by the significant increase in N-lapses from pre- to post-90 min session only in the CG (p = 0.04, d = 0.99, Δ = 2.5 ± 3 lapses), and (ii) improving alertness, as evidenced by the lower sleepiness score (p = 0.05, d = −0.84) in DG compared to CG. The mid-term use of such an environment showed to blind the higher baseline values of EEG-MWI recorded in DG compared to CG (p = 0.01, d = 1.05) and may prevent lower-back discomfort (i.e., a significant increase only in CG with p = 0.05 and d = 0.78), suggesting a less mentally and physically exhausting meeting in this environment. There were no acute and/or mid-term effects of the dynamic meeting environment on any of the HRV parameters. These findings are of relevance in the field of neuroergonomics, as they give preliminary support to the advantages of meeting in a dynamic office compared to a static office environment

Acute effect of simultaneous exercise and cognitive tasks on cognitive functions in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment

The increasing prevalence of age-related cognitive decline, alongside the aging global population, underscores the urgent need for innovative and effective preventative strategies. While the advantages of combining physical and cognitive exercises have been recognized as a promising approach to address these socioeconomic challenges, the acute effects of such interventions on cognitive functions remain understudied. This study aimed to investigate whether simultaneous physical and cognitive exercise has a greater beneficial impact on the cognitive functions of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than physical exercise alone or reading activities. A total of 44 MCI patients (75% females aged between 65 and 75 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: aerobic exercise alone (EG group, n = 15), aerobic combined with cognitive exercises (CEG group, n = 15), or a reading task for controls (CG group, n = 14). Attention, memory, and problem solving were assessed before and after the acute intervention using the Tower of Hanoi, Digit Span, and Stroop tasks, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that both of the experimental interventions appeared to enhance cognitive function scores (p < 0.05), except for the number of moves in the Tower of Hanoi task, where no improvement was noted. In contrast, no significant differences in any cognitive performance measures were observed following the reading session. Notably, the CEG group exhibited a more pronounced positive impact, especially on working memory. This advantage was specifically evident in the digit span tasks, where significantly greater percentage gains were found in the CEG than in the CG (p = 0.02), while no significant difference existed between the EG and CG. Simultaneous combined exercise has proven to be a more effective method than aerobic physical exercise alone for improving cognitive function. The results of this study are recommended for inclusion in clinical practice guidelines to maintain the mental health of older adults, as simultaneous exercise seems to offer a time-efficient strategy to enhance cognitive performance in adults with MCI

Enhancing skills, mood, and performance in overweight handball players : exploring individual vs. collective verbal encouragement strategies

This comparative study investigates the effectiveness of two teaching methods, individual verbal encouragement and collective verbal encouragement, in enhancing the technical–tactical skills and mood state of obese students during handball matches. This study employs a randomized controlled design and involves 28 overweight students (50% females), age: 17.4 ± 2.08 years and BMI: 26.8 ± 1.5 for females and 27.3 ± 2.1 for males. Technical–tactical skills are assessed through performance metrics (individual evaluation proposal by Gréhaigne) such as Ball Played (BP), Conquered Ball (CB), Lost Ball (LB), Shoots/Goals, Conservation index, and defensive index, while mood states are evaluated using pre- and post-tests (BRUMS Scale). Results reveal that individual verbal encouragement significantly enhances technical–tactical skills and positively influences the mood state of overweight students compared to collective verbal encouragement. Boys in Session 1 with VEI displayed a significantly higher number of ball plays (mean difference = 0.94 standard deviations, p = 0.004) and conquered balls (mean difference = 0.78 standard deviations, p = 0.006) compared to VEC. They also had a lower number of Lost Balls (mean difference = −0.62 standard deviations, p = 0.018) and a higher shooting efficiency (Shoots/Goals ratio, mean difference = 0.67 standard deviations; p = 0.013). Similar trends were observed in Session 2, with VEI, again, demonstrating advantages. Girls exhibited analogous improvements with VEI in both sessions. Notably, these performance enhancements coincided with positive emotional changes, with VEI leading to a greater decrease in depression and fatigue scores for both boys and girls. The study highlights the importance of tailoring teaching methods to the specific needs of overweight students in the context of handball, emphasizing the effectiveness of individualized verbal encouragement for skill development and emotional well-being. These findings offer practical implications for educators and coaches involved in physical education, advocating for personalized approaches to optimize learning experiences for overweight students in sports settings

The etiology of neuromuscular fatigue induced by the 5-m shuttle run test in adult soccer players

This study investigated the etiology of neuromuscular fatigue induced by a 5-m shuttle run test (5MSRT) in soccer players. Nineteen adult male amateur soccer players (age: 20.0 ± 2.9 years) participated in the present study. Before and after the 5MSRT, they were instructed to complete a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors (KE) during and after which two electrical stimulations were applied at the femoral nerve. Voluntary activation level (VAL), surface electromyography recordings (sEMG), electrophysiological (Mmax) and potentiated resting twitch (Ptw) responses of the KE were compared between pre- and post-5MSRT. Rating of perception exertion (RPE) was also assessed before, during the test immediately following each sprint repetition and after the test. The distance covered during each sprint significantly decreased as the number of trials performed increased (p<.05). The RPE reported following each sprint significantly increased throughout the test. In addition, MVIC (-9%), sEMG (-23%), VAL (-15%), Ptw (-26%) and Mmax (~22%) of the KE were lowered from pre-to-post 5MSRT (.001 < p < .01). The 5MSRT induced a decrease of repeated-sprint running performance and MVIC of the KE. These decrements were accompanied by lowered VAL, sEMG, Ptw and Mmax values of the KE reflecting the involvement of both the central and peripheral origins in the 5MSRT-induced fatigue. Given the important muscle stress induced by 5MSRT, this strenuous test must be applied with caution, after an inevitable familiarization phase, and not during the competition period to avoid the risk of serious injury

The impact of sleep hygiene education and lavender essential oil inhalation on the sleep quality and overall well-being of athletes who undergo late-evening training : a randomized controlled trial⠯⠯

Background: Sleep hygiene education (SHE) and lavender essential oil (LEO) inhalation are two effective strategies aimed at enhancing sleep quality and mood states. This study investigated the effects of a single SHE session combined with nightly LEO inhalation for 7 days of late-evening resistance training sessions on sleep quality and mood states in trained athletes. Methods: Forty-two athletes were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group (CG), a SHE group (SHEG), a LEO group (LEOG), and a SHE + LEO group (CSLG). CG and LEOG maintained their sleep habits during the intervention, while SHEG and CSLG followed SHE recommendations. Additionally, LEOG and CSLG inhaled LEO nightly before sleep. Sleep patterns were recorded via actigraphy. The Brunel Mood Scale and the Hooper questionnaires were completed before and after the intervention. Results: Sleep latency was lower in SHEG (p=0.001) and CSLG (p=0.012) compared to the CG. The subjective sleep score improved in SHEG, LEOG, and CSLG (p < 0.001), wit

The effects of exercise difficulty and time-of-day on the perception of the task and soccer performance in child soccer players

In soccer, accurate kicking skills are important determinants of successful performance. A successful kick must meet several criteria, including speed, accuracy, and timing. In fact, players who are able to kick the ball more accurately under various difficulties, such as time pressure, space constraints, the opponent’s pressure, and the distance between the kicking point and the goal, have a clear advantage during soccer games. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exercise difficulty and time-of-day on perceived task difficulty and kicking performance. Accordingly, 32 boys (age: 11 ± 0.7 years; height: 1.45 ± 0.07 m; body-mass: 38.9 ± 7.8 kg) performed shooting accuracy tests under two difficulty levels (distance (long-distance (LD) vs. short-distance (SD)) and time pressure (Without-time-pressure (WTP) vs. With-time-pressure (TP)) at 08:00 h and 17:00 h. Absolute-error, variable-error, and constant-error were evaluated during the kicking tasks, in addition to ball velocity and shooting quality. Moreover, rating-of-perceived-exertion score (RPE), feeling-scale (FS), and perceived difficulty were completed immediately at the end of each test. The results showed that shooting quality was not affected by the time-of-day, but it was better in WTP vs. TP (p p p p < 0.05). In conclusion, specific soccer skills of boys were not time-of-day dependent, but they may be associated with time pressure and task difficulty

Spatial accuracy and variability in dart throwing in children with developmental coordination cisorder and the relationship with ball skill items

The present study aimed to examine precision and variability in dart throwing performance and the relationships between these outcomes and bouncing, throwing and catching tasks in children with and without DCD. Children between the ages of 8 and 10 years (n = 165) were classified according to results obtained on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2) and divided into three groups: 65 children with severe DCD (s-DCD), 45 with moderate DCD (m-DCD) and 55 typically developing children (TD). All children performed the dart throwing test and the ball skill items of the Performance and Fitness Test (PERF-FIT). The accuracy and variability of dart throwing tasks were significantly different between TD and s-DCD (p < 0.01), and also between m-DCD and s-DCD (p < 0.01). Participants with s-DCD were also found to perform significantly worse on all PERF-FIT ball skill items than m-DCD (p < 0.001), and m-DCD were significantly poorer than TD (p < 0.001). The dart score and coefficient of variation of the long-distance task appear to be significant predictors for the ball skills and explain between 24 to 29% of their variance. In conclusion, poor results in aiming tasks using darts in children with DCD corroborate with the explanation of deficits in predictive control since the tasks require ballistic movements

Ramadan Observance Is Associated with Impaired Kung-Fu-Specific Decision-Making Skills

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of Ramadan observance (RAM) on decision-making in Kung-Fu athletes. Fourteen male Kung-Fu athletes (mean age = 19 ± 3 years) completed two test sessions: before Ramadan (BR) and at the end of Ramadan (ER). In the afternoon of each session (between 16:00 h and 18:00 h), participants completed: Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Subjects also reported subjective fatigue, alertness, and concentration. Additionally, all participants performed video-based decision-making tasks (i.e., reaction time and decision-making). Results indicated that reaction time decreased by 30% at ER vs. BR (p p p p p < 0.05). In conclusion, Ramadan observance was associated with an adverse effect on sleep and decision making, as well as feelings of fatigue, alertness, and concentration