The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of wearing compression socks on postural balance in university netball players. Fourteen advanced learner netball players performed three trials of 20 seconds each of dynamic postural balance test on Biodex Stability System, while wearing two socks, (a) Normal Socks and (b) Compression Socks. Data on overall, anterior/posterior and medial/lateral stability indexes were analyzed using Paired Sample T-tests. The results revealed that wearing compression materials significantly enhanced static and dynamic postural balance among the university netball players. The improvements in these key variables are likely due to enhanced somatosensory feedback information which allowed the lower limbs to better regulate postural stability. It is suggested that compression socks can be used by university netball players to improve their postural stability.

This study aimed to determine whether 8 weeks of a core strength training program with three sessions weekly can improve cyclists' core muscle strength. Six healthy male junior cyclists (age 15.8 ± 1 years, mass 62 ± 4 kg, height 170.2 ± 6 cm) volunteered for the study. Participants were instructed to perform five types of core exercises per session for a total of 24 sessions. For every session, each movement was performed in 20 repetitions for three sets. Comparison of pre-and post-test data revealed significantly greater (p < 0.05) gains in this case study. These results suggest that it is important for coaches to incorporate core strengthening exercises in their training routines.

Sinding Larsen-Johansson syndrome is an osteochondrosis injury of the patella commonly seen in adolescents (between 10 to 14 years old). This case report covers an interesting case of Sinding Larsen-Johansson syndrome reported in a 33-year-old football athlete. He had been actively participating in many football tournaments for the last 18 years. He presented with anterior knee pain 1 month after experiencing a traumatic sports injury in one of his football matches. He was diagnosed with complete anterior cruciate ligament rupture, with medial and lateral meniscus injury. MRI confirmed the diagnosis with and additional finding of chronic Sinding Larsen-Johansson syndrome. He did not compete in further football matches, and underwent intensive physiotherapy focusing on eccentric muscle strengthening exercise. His anterior knee pain improved as well as his knee stability. This article will discuss Sinding Larsen-Johansson Syndrome in detail.

Badminton involves jumping to reach a shuttle at the highest possible point when descending for a better stroke, such as in a smash and drop shot. Hence, the body weight has to be lifted repeatedly against gravity, and extra mass in the form of fat would be a disadvantage. Moreover, fat tends to be localized in the trunk and lower body segments. It has been established that an excess percentage of body fat is detrimental to health, and that the percentage of body fat required for excellence in performance differs from sport to sport and between males and females. Core muscle exercises strengthen the abdominal muscles, back muscles and the muscles around the pelvis. To increase the efficiency of physical activities, one must strengthen the core muscles. A stable and strong midsection can improve posture and balance. The present study was conducted to assess the impact of core muscle exercises on subcutaneous fat percentage of badminton players. To achieve this purpose, twenty five badminton players were included in the study, whose age ranged from 17-21 years. The subjects were given selected core muscle own-body-weight exercises without any equipment, including ten different pilates exercises with 20 sec break in between. The subjects underwent this training for six days in a week continuously for four weeks. The subcutaneous fat ratios in the arms, trunk, legs and whole body were measured before and after training. The obtained pre- and post-test data were statistically analyzed using a t-test. The results showed significant differences in the subcutaneous fat percentage in the arms, trunk, legs and body of the badminton players.

Futsal is an upcoming popular sport. It is an active dynamic sport which requires the players to perform various movements like rapidly accelerating and decelerating, and also requires them to rapidly change their direction of movement. It also involves a lot of sliding and kicking. Compared to other athletic sports played worldwide, futsal is a rather vigorous sport with increased incidence of injuries. Tightness in the hamstring muscles can lead to various injuries. The prevalence of hamstring muscle injuries is very high in futsal players due to muscle tightness. This study aims to determine the effects of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) on hamstring flexibility among futsal players. After being screened as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the participants were instructed in MET. The technique was performed for seven to ten seconds with twenty percent of resistive effort synchronized with the breathing pattern of the participant and then stretched to the new muscle length. This was repeated until no further gain was possible. Hamstring length was assessed using the Active Knee Extension Test (AKET) before and after the intervention, the values were then compared. The result of the study show improvements in the hamstring length following the intervention (16.50) to be statistically significant (P <0.01) when compared to the baseline findings (23.67). It has been concluded that MET can increase the hamstring flexibility among futsal players, and thus will be able to reduce the injury rate.

Piriformis syndrome is a painful neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the piriformis muscle irritates and/or compresses the proximal sciatic nerve. Prolonged sitting position is the foremost cause of piriformis tightness in sedentary population that may eventually leads to piriformis syndrome. The incidence of piriformis has been reported to be six times more prevalent among females than males. Piriformis tightness will cause reduction in the range of motion, as well as limitations in walking, sitting and even running. Moreover, individuals will also feel pain in their butt muscles, which could be frustrating. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of myofascial release over stretching on pain and range of motion among female college students with piriformis syndrome. Twenty participants aged between 19 to 25 years old with tight piriformis muscle for four weeks participated in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were randomised and underwent myofascial release and stretching treatment twice in a week for four weeks. Before each session, the pain score and goniometer measurements were recorded. The experimental group and control group benefited through reduced pain and range of motion. Therefore, there are no significant effects of myofascial release found over stretching between the two groups.

The thrust of this paper was to elicit socio-cultural predictors of risky sexual behavior among adolescents and young adults in Nigeria. Socio-cultural parameters were seen to be those factors in the social environment that influences behavior. The socio-cultural theory holds that people learn through interactions within the socio-cultural environment. Such interactions include the home (parental influence, social/economic status of family), peers and culture (religious practices, age norms, and gender issues). This paper further examines these factors and how they predict risky sexual behavior such as early marriage, non-utilization of contraception, early sex initiation, induced abortions, having multiple sex partners, sex under the influence of alcohol, and indulging in sex for financial and material gains, among adolescents and young adults in Nigeria. It was therefore concluded that the socio-cultural environment is a strong predictor of adolescent and young adult sexual risk behavior in Nigeria. Thus, it is recommended that social/cultural environment should be shaped for optimum reproductive health behavior among adolescents and young adults in Nigeria.

Purpose: The efficacy of SSGs has been difficult to assess as researchers have used a wide-ranging number of players, pitch dimensions and game rules, making comparisons complicated. Therefore, this study compared four SSG rules [one (SSG1T), two (SSG2T), three (SSG3T), and unlimited touches (SSGFT)] on time spent in different heart-rate (HR) intensity zones, frequency of technical actions and distance covered involving the starting 11 players and the reserve goalkeeper of a national soccer league team. Methods: The participants (age: 24.3±4.0 yr; height: 171.2±5.9 cm: weight: 61.9±7.4 kg) were measured for previously mentioned dependent variables during each SSG format. Results: Analysis found no significant difference among the four SSGs formats [F(3, 27) = 2.897, p = .053] for time spent in the low-intensity zone, but significant differences were observed for time spent in moderate [F(3, 27) = 13.642, p = .001] and high [F(3, 27) = 13.431, p = .001] intensity zones. Significantly more time was spent in the high intensity zone [F(3, 27) = 13.431, p = .001] when players performed SSG2T and SSGFT when compared SSG1T (p = .002 and p = .009) respectively. SSG1T induced most unsuccessful passing [F(3,27) = 500.498, p = .001] but no differences was observed among SSG2T, SSG3T and SSGFT. SSG2T, SSG3T and SSG3T obtained significantly more shots on goal shots on goal [F(3,27) = 25.398, p = .001], with SSGFT achieving higher numbers than the other three formats. There were no significant differences in goals scored (p = .537) and distance covered (p = 0.574) for all SSG formats. Conclusion: The main findings of this study revealed that all four SSG formats stimulated moderate to high heart rate intensities that could induce positive aerobic and anaerobic adaptations depending on frequency of technical actions and players' skill level. Therefore, coaches could select specific SSG formats to help players achieved intended intensity and technical objectives programmed for different phases of periodized training.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a ball-oriented soccer match-play simulation on the hamstrings eccentric torque production. Seven male recreational athletes volunteered for this study. Participants completed 90-minutes of the ball-oriented soccer simulation interceded by a 15-minute half time interval with five successful trials of hamstrings eccentric contractions on an isokinetic dynamometer at selected time points throughout the simulation. A 2 (limb: dominant; non-dominant) × 4 (time: 0 min; 45 min; 60 min; 105 min) “split-plots” analysis of variance (SPANOVA) revealed significant reductions in hamstrings eccentric peak torques over time, while no significant change was apparent in hamstrings eccentric angles of peak torque. There was also no interaction effect of limb dominance over time for both peak torque and angles of peak torque parameters. The observed changes suggest that exertions from a ball-oriented soccer match-play simulation may have detrimental effects on the hamstrings eccentric strength parameters thus may increase risk of ACL injury. High variabilities in angles of peak torques were also observed in this study. Future exploration is warranted in order to address the extent of variabilities that may be present in larger sample sizes thus providing a better understanding of the influence of these variabilities on the muscular strength parameters of ACL injury risk. The findings suggest firstly, that fatigue from soccer-specific exertions during match-play may increase an athlete's susceptibility to ACL injury, and secondly, that with accumulating fatigue, the nondominant limb may be equally at risk of injury as the dominant limb, contradicting previous findings from epidemiological studies.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the technical performance of team performance in an event of the main division in Indonesia. The sample of this study was the players' performance of the winning team. The data were collected using the Volleyball Tactical Information Skill (VTIS) software which is originally developed by the researcher based on the Volleyball Information System (VIS). The data collected using the VTIS includes service, ball receive, attack, toss, block, and dig that was performed by each player throughout the game. The statistical data is presented on average and percentage. The statistical data obtained from VTIS has been proven to be useful and provides valuable information for the team's technical performance.

Physical activity is an important component of cardiovascular health. The fact that physical activity is also associated with a substantial number of cognitive and academic benefits, therefore school teachers can be an important role model in promoting a physically-active lifestyle in school children. The aim of this study is to examine the levels of physical activity (PA) and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in a sample of school teachers. Forty-nine (n=49) female teachers from primary and secondary schools around Klang Valley urban areas were recruited. The PA level was determined using pedometer, worn for three consecutive days. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were collected to determine cardiovascular risk factors. Findings showed that the school teachers recorded an overall mean (± SEM) of 7707 ± 490 steps/day, which is below the recommended target of 10 000 steps per day. According to pedometer-determined physical activity indices proposed by Tudor-Locke and Bassett (2004), 20.83% of the sample were classified as ‘sedentary’ (<5000 steps/day), 35.40% were ‘low active’ (5000 – 7499 steps/day) and only 18.70% achieved more than 10 000 steps/day. The mean values for waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, and cholesterol level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 83.96 ± 1.90 cm, 5.41 ± 0.26 mmol/l, 4.64±0.26 mmol/l, 118.90 ± 1.72 mmHg and 72.40±1.58 mmHg respectively. Fisher Exact Test shown that there were significant association between daily step and age category. Daily steps weakly negative correlated with systolic blood pressure (r = -0.024, p > 0.05) as well as blood sugar levels (r = -0.061, p> 0.05), diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.079, p> 0.05), body mass index (r = -0.271, p> 0.05), waist circumference (r = -0.196, p> 0.05), as well as blood cholesterol levels (r = -0.037, p> 0.05). In conclusion, there were weak negative correlations between steps per day and cardiovascular risk factors. Generally, the level of physical activity in the sample of female workers were low moderate active. Therefore, should be an interventions programme in promoting PA.

This study investigated the jumping performance and lower limbs kinematics among boys with Down syndrome. The participants (n = 23) were required to perform standing broad jump test and their jumping performance was evaluated using Motor Skills Inventory for locomotor skills analysis. In addition, the jumping performance was also recorded for lower limb kinematic analysis using 2-Dimensional video recording tools. Results revealed that 91.3% of the participants scored ‘Poor’ values of standing broad jump distances. Based on the Motor Skills Inventory analysis, five participants were grouped as ‘Rudimentary’, nine participants were ‘Functional’ and the other nine participants were ‘Mature’ level of motor development. Based on these three groups, further analysis was conducted on the lower limbs kinematics during jumping performance (three phases: take off, jump peak height and landing). Finding showed that there were no significant differences on lower limb kinematics between the groups during these three phases of jumping. Proper intervention strategies are needed in order to improve the jumping skills among children with Down syndrome.