Numerous studies can be found in the body of literature on muscle strength after eccentric exercise. However, muscle strength after weight resistance exercise, including the concentric and eccentric phases usually performed in resistance training, has not been fully investigated. This study aims to compare the effects of mid- and high-volume weight resistance exercise on muscle strength. Sixteen subjects were divided into a high-volume group with participants who performed 12 sets (12SET, n=8), and a mid-volume group with participants who performed 6 sets (6SET, n=8). The participants performed leg extensions on the first day. The exercise load was 4~6 RM. The rest between sets was three minutes. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), isokinetic strength (30°/ sec.: ISOK30, 60°/ sec.: ISOK60, 150°/ sec.: ISOK150, 240°/ sec.: ISOK240), muscle soreness, and thigh circumference were measured before (PRE), after (POST) exercise, as well as one day, two days, three days, five days, and seven days after exercise. The only significant effect was time in all measurements. Although MVC decreased at POST, it recovered to the level of PRE one day after exercise. ISOK150 and ISOK240 showed similar results to MVC. ISOK30 showed a lower value one day after exercise. ISOK60 did not change throughout the experiment. Muscle soreness was higher at POST, one day and two days after exercise. Peak muscle soreness was higher for 12SET than for 6SET. Thigh circumference was higher at POST and one day after exercise. These results indicated that muscle damage was lower than previously reported after eccentric exercise. In addition, there was no difference between 12 sets and 6 sets of weight resistance exercise, except for peak muscle soreness. Our results suggest that muscle strength after leg extension recovers by two days, irrespective of whether 12 sets or 6 sets of high load leg extension are performed.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]

This study aims to examine the decision making by rugby sevens referees, and its relationship with the referees' performance. The instruments used in this study are the Rugby Referee Decision Making Test (α=.74) and the Referee Sevens Field Performance Evaluation (α=.94). It was administered to 132 rugby sevens referees (mean age 33.4 + 1.5 years; 132 males) from the Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU), which have been refereeing in 10 rugby sevens tournaments in Malaysia. Descriptive and Inferential statistics (one way ANOVA and Pearson's Correlation) were employed to analyse the data. Decision Making (X¯= 24.13, SD= 5.24) and performance (X¯= 136.45, SD = 4.47) were identified at a moderate level. The findings indicated no significant differences [F= (3, 128) =.246, p>0.05] in the decision making across age level, but there were significant differences [F= (3, 128) =63.159, p<0.05] across experience level. Highly experienced referees scored significantly higher in all decision making constructs compared to less experienced referees. The research findings have revealed a positive and significant relationship between decision making (r= .61, p<.05) and referee performance. In conclusion, the decision making can help rugby sevens referees' performance, and it is recommended that referees should increase the use of decision making in future training and assessment. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of decision making interventions in enhancing referees' performance in the future.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]

Currently, great emphasis is placed on the development and intervention of psychology in sports in order to address the problem of athletes' failure to achieve peak performance in actual competitions. This problem is primarily due to internal factors, such as anxieties, as well as external factors, such as the high pressure of the competitive environments athletes encounter. In this study, the cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self confidence levels amongst elite and sub-elite Malaysian volleyball players are defined (male sample n = 50; female sample n = 35; age range between 17 to 25 years). These parameters were measured using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2), in which the questionnaires were completed by all respondents 30 minutes prior to the start of a competition. The findings indicated that there was a significant difference (p < 0.005) in cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence among elite and sub-elite Malaysian ( male and female) volleyball athletes. According to the findings, the competitive anxiety levels of the sub-elite athletes were higher than the elite, mainly due to the inability of the sub-elite athletes to control their emotions using psychological skills. In order to minimize this problem, a novel approach that involves using virtual reality to reduce the athletes' competitive anxiety was proposed. This approach utilizes a 3D immersive environment that was developed based on the challenging real-world situations encountered during a volleyball match. The design and development of this approach is predicted to enhance athletes' psychological skills, and in turn ensure that they can achieve peak performance under high pressure conditions.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]

The Japan Tennis Association established the Tennis Field Test as a tool for aiding the development of effective coaching methods and improving the competitive achievements of individual elite tennis players. On the basis of such evaluations, specific coaching methods can be developed for individual tennis players. This study aims to evaluate the physical fitness and athletic performance of tennis players using the Tennis Field Test, and to compare these attributes between players of different ages and abilities. A total of 48 tennis players participated, of which 24 were junior players (including 15 regional representatives), and 24 were senior players (including 18 national representatives). The subjects were further subdivided into average and superior groups on the basis of their competitive achievements in regional or national tournaments. All subjects participated in the Tennis Field Test, which consists of the following six items: the number of sit-ups performed in 30 sec (an index of muscular endurance), the standing long jump distance (an index of leg power), the sit and reach test (an index of flexibility), the time taken to perform the spider run (an index of agility), the time taken to sprint 10 m (an index of speed), and the distance run in three minutes (an index of whole-body endurance capacity). In this study, the subjects' sit and reach test data were not examined due to differences in the measurement methods used between junior and senior tennis players. Among the junior tennis players, the superior group performed faster in the spider run than the average group (p = 0.0011). Among the senior tennis players, the superior group achieved a longer mean distance during the three-minute run than the average group (p = 0.0223). The test results of the remaining items for both groups were relatively similar. This study suggests that competitive achievement is associated with agility among junior tennis players, and is associated with whole-body endurance capacity among senior tennis players.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]

The beneficial impact of the differential biofeedback intervention technique on modification in autonomic competence, as well as the ultimate impact on bilateral shooting ability, were studied on young and competitive male soccer players. A total of 45 young high-performing soccer players in the age range of 18 to 24 years were recruited. At first, the players were subjected to baseline evaluation of psychomotor (i.e., reaction time – RT), physiological (viz. resting heart-rate; VO₂Max, electrical muscle potentiality, etc.), and psychobiological indices (such as skin conductance components –latency, amplitude and recovery time). Thereafter, they were equally categorized into: Control Group, Experimental Group I [who received skin conductance (Sc) biofeedback training], and Experimental Group II [who received electromyography (EMG) biofeedback intervention training]. Participants of the experimental groups were subjected to their respective interventions (Sc & EMG biofeedback intervention training), which were imparted for 24 sessions (15 mins/day; 2 days/week for 12 weeks). After six weeks of intervention, mid-term evaluation of all of the aforementioned parameters (assessed during baseline evaluation) was performed. Thereafter, intervention sessions continued following the identical protocol for six weeks. At the end of the 12^th week, a post-intervention assessment on all of the psychological, psychomotor and psychobiological variables was carried out on all of the participants to verify the effect of training on dependent measures. Post-intervention analyses revealed improvements in physiological, psychobiological and performance parameters, which could be rationally attributed to the differential biofeedback therapeutic interventions introduced to the experimental groups. The outcome suggested that both interventions facilitated improvement in bilateral shooting ability, while in-depth analyses clarified that a higher extent of autonomic recovery emerged as the most significant factor facilitating shooting ability in the experimental groups.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis were performed in this work in order to obtain the best design for safety and aerodynamic performance of the bicycle cycling helmet. FEA analysis was computed on two different helmet designs to determine the critical area subjected to impact. A pressure load was applied on the helmets' outer surface to simulate oblique loading. The critical areas of the helmets were then highlighted and identified, enabling design improvements to be made on both designs. CFD analysis was then executed in order to obtain the lowest drag coefficient number in reducing the air resistance induced by both of the helmet designs, inherently increasing cyclist performance and ensuring competition success.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]

This paper aims to determine acute responses of standardized resistance training load on cardio-respiratory variables in recreationally active participants. The methodology involved twelve recreationally active males with an age of 23.5 (± 4.07) years, a mass of 70.5 (± 7.84 kg), a height of 1.69 (± 0.06 m), and a body mass index of 24.8 (± 2.14) kg/m2). The participants performed an exercise protocol that comprises five exercises on a standardized load. Each exercise was performed in a duration of 60 seconds with uncontrolled lifting velocity. Cardio-respiratory responses were measured using a portable metabolic system analyzer during the exercises. A wrist digital blood pressure monitor was used to determine pre- and post-protocol blood pressure responses. Based on the results, pre- and post-protocol systolic (p=0.744) and diastolic (p=0.758) blood pressure indicated no significant responses. However, significant differences were observed in pre- and post-heart rate responses (p=0.000). Peak cardio-respiratory responses recorded during the protocol were 30.2 (± 4.02) ml/Kg/min for oxygen consumption, 138 (± 61.9) bpm for heart rate, and 633 (± 71.2) kcal for energy expenditure (estimated per hour). On average, the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) was recorded at a value of 8.62 (± 1.19). For a short duration standardized load circuit training exercise protocol, cardio respiratory responses were similar to other protocols. The metabolic cost of the predefined exercises was nearly half of the recommended energy expenditure through exercise per week. The prescribed protocol was comparable with other exercise protocols for cardiorespiratory variables. The single set protocol used was efficient in terms of caloric expenditure, and was less strenuous over similar exercise duration. Furthermore, the prescribed protocol is applicable and beneficial for active and healthy individuals.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available  [PDF]