Objective: The present study investigates the acceptability of a novel ubiquitous social goal-sharing intervention aimed at promoting physical activity (PA) in schoolchildren. Methods: Thirty children (18 boys; 10.1±0.3 years; 1.39±0.06 m; 19.85±4.03 kg·m^-2) were randomly assigned to ten groups and outfitted with Fitbit monitors. Video-clips describing mission-based activities were shown on iPads each week, for four consecutive weeks. An LED lighting-strip provided visual feedback on daily group PA levels. Three semi-structured group interviews were conducted with 10 children (4 boys, 6 girls; n=2) and two teachers (n=1). Additionally, at baseline and post-intervention, seven-day accelerometry, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF; 20m shuttle run test), anthropometrics and physical self-perceptions were assessed. Data were analysed using a mixed "between-within" analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Children stated that peers were positive role models and provided encouragement to accomplish their goals. Teachers noted that children's fitness, teamwork and problem-solving skills considerably improved. Statistical analyses revealed no significant intervention effect (p>0.05), though BMI and waist circumference increased and CRF decreased. Conclusion: The integration of ubiquitous social goal-sharing technology in schools was well received among both teachers and pupils. Future studies should integrate a larger sample size encompassing numerous schools, comparison groups, and a longer intervention period with associated follow-up measurements, in order to ascertain the feasibility of this intervention as a low-cost way to promote children's PA levels.

Recently, the general performance standards of women's squash have progressed to very high levels as demonstrated by several ‘spectacular’ world championships final matches. Our aim was to identify successful game strategies of female squash players at the international level via notational analysis. 25 matches were obtained for analysis from several international competitions, including the Women's World Championship 2014, the Women's World Team Squash Championship 2014 and the Malaysia Circuit Squash 2015. Analysis was based on observation of the type of stroke performed and the rally outcome. The mean total number of shots performed per game was 337 (SD=189.6) shots. The most preferred strokes performed were drive (47.1%), followed by cross-court (19.9%), volley (12.7%), drop (11.1%), boast (5.8%), with the lob (3.4%) as least frequently occurring shot. Meanwhile, rally outcomes were categorized as winners, errors, stroke, and let. There were more winners produced (58.5%) than errors (24.8%) or lets (16.69%). The findings indicate that defensive long rallies together with offensive endings (such as well-timed drop shots) are characteristic of points played in elite women's squash. The practical implications of this analysis may help coaches and female players enhance both tactical strategy and performance.

Stretching is performed with or without assistance when individuals warm up prior to physical activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 30 s of static active stretching on anaerobic power using the Wingate test (WT). Ten healthy men performed the WT under two different conditions: after performing 30 s of active static stretching (SS-condition) or after sitting in a chair (CON-condition). During the SS-condition, participants performed three stretching exercises for the hamstrings and quadriceps. Participants stretched the targeted muscle slowly until it reached its most comfortable position and maintained the position for 30 s. The WT was performed using an electromagnetic bicycle ergometer. Participants were instructed to pedal as fast as possible against a load corresponding to 7.5% of their body mass. Although peak performance (peak power and peak revolutions per minute) during the WT did not differ significantly between the CON- and SS-conditions, the mean power in the SS-condition (579.2 ± 15.8 W) was significantly greater than that in the CON-condition (560.3 ± 17.8 W). These results suggest that although 30 s of active static stretching has no effect on peak performance, it increases mean power during WT. Further, heart rate in pre-WT was significantly higher in the SS-condition (96 ± 5 bpm) than in the CON-condition (63 ± 2 bpm). Therefore, increased HR by active static stretching might elicit an aerobic warm-up effect.

There are many variations of the competition that takes place in Olympic track cycling. Hence, a bicycle simulator will provide a number of benefits to coaches and athletes in practical training. It is extremely low cost compared to a real Velodrome track, which requires a long construction time due to the unique geometry and size. In this project, a 6-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) motion platform is designed and developed to simulate the Velodrome track cycling. A parallel manipulator was chosen to control the moving platform due to its higher accuracy and greater weight to strength ratio compared to a serial manipulator. The 6-DOF platform is controlled by linear actuators and micro-controller. An optical encoder was installed for closed-loop position feedback control. An inverse kinematics model was developed to obtain the movement of the platform and validated with its CAD model. Furthermore, a design feasibility program was developed to determine the optimum design dimensions for the motion platform. All the positions (3-axes) and orientations (3-rotational axes) data are tracked for analysis purpose. A lab-scale prototype was successfully built for analysis and validation purposes. A standard Velodrome track dimensions was chosen for simulation. A gyro accelerometer was installed at the platform to acquire the actual motion of the platform. The data is used to validate the control algorithms and accuracy of the motion platform. The experiment was conducted and the results analysed for further development.

Objective: The positive effects of vibration training (VT) on improving strength and muscle performance have been widely documented. However, its ability to diminish the effects of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and initiate muscle recovery has not been thoroughly correlated. Data Sources: Systematic literature searches for randomized controlled trials between 2009-2014 were performed in the databases of: SOLAR (CSS Library), CINAHL and PubMed between July15 to July 26, 2014. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Five randomized controlled trials conducted with a total of 163 subjects supported moderate evidence with the use of VT to diminish DOMS. Data Synthesis and Conclusions: The studies presented moderate evidence for the use of VT in muscle recovery parameters of: power, explosive muscle ability, return of strength, and maximal voluntary isometric contraction as well as ROM. This review found no evidence for the effects of VT on limb circumference. Vibration Training (VT), when compared to other exercises such as a standard sport cool down or treadmill walking, had no significant difference on the return of muscle function as measured in terms of strength and power. The same studies, however, showed that VT led to significantly faster recovery time compared to the control (no intervention) group.

Purpose: To systematically review published research literature to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of perceptual motor training on improvement in motor performance in individuals with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Methods: Multiple databases were methodically searched for articles related to Developmental Coordination Disorder; only descriptive, intervention or qualitative articles were retained. Results: A generalized performance deficit may be observed in majority of the children with DCD. Pronounced difficulty in internal (forward) modeling, rhythmic coordination, executive function, gait and postural control, catching and interceptive action, and aspects of sensoriperceptual function were observed in most of the individuals diagnosed with DCD. Research indicates that poor motor co-ordination has far-reaching implications for social and emotional wellbeing. DCD occurs not only in children, as motor difficulties are retained in adulthood. Conclusions: The perceptual motor training approach may result in positive outcomes in motor performance in individuals with DCD. Cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance was observed to be a superior alternative to contemporary coordination treatment approach. Furthermore, psychomotor therapy placing emphasis on music rhythm and sensory integration therapy was observed to have a sustainably facilitative impact.

The purpose of this research is to identify the psychological profile of Malaysian female cricket athletes. The sample size consists of 21 Malaysian athletes who took part in Incheon Asian Sport, South Korea 2014. The type of questionnaire used in this research are the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) to evaluate athletes' mental endurance; the Sports Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) to assess athlete's anxiety and the Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS) to evaluate coach's leadership qualities. The data is analysed by means of a descriptive research method and standard variance. Only one respondent received the scores between 26-30 whilst the rest received scores between 0-22. The results suggest that Malaysian female cricket athletes possess low mental endurance. The primary factor that affects mental endurance is motivation. The study also established that the level of anxiety among athletes is moderate. Training and orders were found to be the general leadership qualities amongst the five dimension for athletes whilst the autocratic dimension is the least. As for the leadership qualities that is most commonly used by coaches is positive feedback whilst the least leadership dimension used is autocratic. The result this study provides considerable insight in the field of sports, especially to coaches and those who are involved in sports development from a psychological standpoint that may affect the performance of the athletes. Abstrak Kajian ini bertujuan mengenalpasti profil psikologi atlet kriket wanita Malaysia. Jumlah sampel kajian ini adalah terdiri daripada 21 atlet kriket wanita Malaysia yang menyertai Sukan Asia Incheon, Korea Selatan 2014. Soal selidik yang digunakan dalam kajian ini adalah soal selidik Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) untuk menguji ketahanan mental atlet; soal selidik Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) untuk menilai kebimbangan atlet; soal selidik Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS) untuk menguji gaya kepimpinan jurulatih. Dapatan kajian telah dianalisis dengan kaedah deskriptif min dan sisihan piawai. Hanya seorang sahaja yang mendapat skor antara 26-30 dan selebihnya mendapat skor antara 0-22. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa atlet kriket wanita Malaysia mempunyai tahap kekuatan mental yang rendah. Faktor paling mempengaruhi kekuatan mental adalah faktor motivasi. Seterusnya, kajian mendapati tahap kebimbangan atlet berada di tahap yang sederhana. Manakala, dapatan bagi kepimpinan mengikut versi atlet mendapati bahawa antara 5 dimensi yang sering digunakan adalah dimensi latihan dan arahan. Manakala dimensi yang paling kurang digunakan adalah dimensi autokratik. Bagi dimensi kepimpinan mengikut versi kegemaran atlet pula, kajian mendapati bahawa dimensi kepimpinan maklum autokratik adalah yang paling kurang digemari. Hasil kajian untuk dimensi kepimpinan mengikut versi jurulatih mendapati dimensi yang sering digunakan oleh jurulatih adalah maklumbalas positif manakala dimensi kepimpinan yang paling kurang digunakan oleh jurulatih adalah autokratik. Hasil daripada kajian ini dapat memberi beberapa implikasi yang manfaat terhadap bidang sukan, khususnya kepada jurulatih dan pihak yang terlibat dalam pembangunan sukan mendalami aspek psikologi diri atlet yang akan mempengaruhi prestasi.