Effectiveness of modified perceived exertion scale on exercise intensity across age group, gender and exercise modalities
This study aims to conduct a systematic and meta-analysis to collate the current findings and assess the effectiveness of perceived exertion scales (original or modified), across various users profile (gender, age, exercise background) and exercise modalities (aerobic vs resistance).
Effects of soy milk ingestion on anaerobic performance and physiological measures
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of soy protein supplementation to improve performance and recovery during repeated running anaerobic sprint test (RAST). Ten males (age: 23.2 ± 1.23 yrs) performed two RAST with a soy milk intervention (SOY; 500 mL soy milk + 4 g stevia sweetener) and a placebo control (CON; 500 mL water + 4 g stevia sweetener) over 7 days. The RAST consisted of six 35-m sprints with a 10-sec recovery between each sprint. The total effort time (sec) was not significant between SOY (32.77 ± 1.23) and CON (33.28 ± 1.71) (P = 0.179). Fatigue index in SOY (31.64 ± 5.20) was significantly lower than CON (37.30 ± 5.70) (P = 0.023). Mean power (Watts) (Soy: 499.27 ± 62.72, Con: 486.39 ± 86.13) (P = 0.410), relative power (Watts) (Soy: 9.34 ± 1.02, Con: 9.55 ± 1.51) (P = 0.461), peak blood lactate (mmol·L-1) (Soy: 9.75 ± 1.61, Con: 10.24 ± 1.90) (P = 0.488), and peak blood glucose (mmol·L-1) (Soy: 23.94 ± 3.90, Con: 25.09 ± 4.61) (P = 0.497) between trials were not significant. Peak blood lactate (r = -0.654) and glucose (r = -0.662) concentrations were inversely associated with mean power in the SOY trial. The results indicate that the soy milk intervention in RAST significantly lowered the fatigue index and, therefore, may be used to enhance sports performance involving anaerobic activities.
A systematic review on the effectiveness of brain-breaks® video programming on academic performance and physical activity of school children
Purpose: This study aimed to complete a systematic review of the effect of the Brain Breaks® video program on academic performance and health-related outcomes among schoolchildren.
Methods: A literature search was performed using Scopus, PubMed, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases to identify published manuscripts from December 2017 to December 2023. Dissertations, theses, monographs, and commentaries were excluded from this review.
Results: A total of 15 studies were included in the review. Most studies applied quasi-experimental design and were conducted in Asia and Europe with children. Nine of these studies found that Brain Breaks® improved students' attitudes toward physical activity (PA), and two found that it improved their PA levels. The other studies found that Brain Breaks® improved students' academic performance, perceived pros and cons of PA, transtheoretical model (TTM) constructs, motivation to participate in PA, cognitive function, muscle strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility, as well as the fitness knowledge test and the Fitnessgram test battery results.
Conclusion: It is thought that the Brain Breaks® web-based online video program has the potential to improve the academic performance and health-related physical fitness of school children
Arm-pull thrust in human swimming and the effect of post-activation potentiation
The aim of this study was to analyse the front-crawl arm-pull kinetics and kinematics, comparing it before and after post-activation potentiation (PAP), and the associations between variables describing of the arm-pull kinetics. Twelve male competitive swimmers were randomly assigned to perform two different warm-ups in a crossover manner: (i) non-PAP (control condition); and (ii) PAP (experimental condition). PAP consisted of 2 × 5 arm-pulls with resistance bands by both upper-limbs. Eight minutes later, participants underwent a 25 m all-out trial in front-crawl arm-pull. Kinetics (i.e., peak thrust, mean thrust and thrust-time integral) and kinematics (i.e., speed and speed fluctuation) were collected by an in-house customised system composed of differential pressure sensors, speedo-meter and underwater camera. There was a significant and large improvement of the arm-pull kinetics after completing the warm-up with PAP sets (0.010 < P < 0.054, 0.50 < d < 0.74). There were non-significant and small effects of PAP on speed (P = 0.307, d = 0.18) and speed fluctuation (P = 0.498, d = 0.04). Correlation coefficients among kinetic variables were significant with large associations (0.51 < R < 0.90, 0.001 < P < 0.088). In conclusion, warm-ups including PAP conditioning sets elicit a large improvement in the thrust, but with small improvement in performance. Variables used to characterise thrust are strongly correlated and hence can be used interchangeably.
Physical activity among adults residing in 11 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown
During the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, physical activity (PA) behaviors were altered worldwide due to public health measures such as “lockdown.” This study described PA among adults residing in 11 countries during COVID-19 lockdown and examined factors associated with PA engagement. We conducted a cross-sectional anonymous survey among adults (≥18 years old) in 11 countries (Brazil, Bulgaria, China, India, Ireland, Malaysia, North Macedonia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, United States). Of 11,775 participants, 63.7% were female and 52.8% were 18–34 years old. More than 40% of participants were insufficiently active (43.9%) and reported a decrease in their PA during lockdown (44.8%). Statistically significant differences were observed in (1) proportions of participants being insufficiently active, (2) level of PA, and (3) decrease in PA across the 11 countries. More stringent governmental policy responses were associated with greater likelihood of being insufficiently active during lockdown (adjusted odds ratio = 1.22, 95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.45). Higher depression or anxiety scores were associated with greater likelihood of decreased level of PA during lockdown.We found substantial reductions in PA levels during COVID-19 lockdown across countries. Country-specific PA promotion interventions are needed during this and similar global emergencies.
A normalized rate of perceived exertion at ventilatory breakpoint for different exercise modalities and production of exercise intensity with self-regulation for Singapore children
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify a normalized RPE response at ventilatory breakpoint (Vpt) for male adolescents 13-17 years old, and whether these adolescents could self-regulate at target RPEs of 4 and 6.
METHODS: Twenty healthy males participated in the study, with 10 males in each of the cycling and walking/running groups. Participants performed orientation and V̇O2peak trials before performing a perceptual estimation exercise trial to obtain RPE Vpt, and two production trials to assess self-regulation ability.
RESULTS: Vpt corresponded to 67.7% V̇O2peak for the cycling group and 70.4% V̇O2peak for the walking/running group. There were no group differences on RPE-Overall Vpt (cycling: 4.6; walking/running: 4.4), RPE-Legs Vpt (cycling: 5.4; walking/running: 4.6), and RPE-Chest Vpt (cycling: 4.0; walking/running: 4.8). A normalized RPE-Overall Vpt response was identified at five. V̇O2 did not differ between the estimation and production trials at targets RPE of 4 (1.59 vs. 1.57 L·min-1) and 6 (1.87 vs. 1.79 L·min-1). Similarly, heart rate (HR) did not differ between estimation and production trials at targets RPE 4 (152.4 vs. 151.1 beats·min-1) and 6 (167.1 vs. 162.4 beats·min-1). Both V̇O2 and HR were significantly higher at RPE 6 compared to RPE 4. Responses were not affected by exercise mode or production sequence.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that undifferentiated and differentiated RPE Vpt were similar between cycling and walking/running participants. Male adolescents between 13- and 17-year-olds were able to use the OMNI scale to self-regulate exercise intensities that would be useful in field settings.
Effects of isometric strength and plyometric training on running performance: A randomized controlled study
Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of isometric strength (IST) and plyometric training (PT) on endurance running performance. Methods: Twenty-six endurance runners (18 males and 8 females; age 36 ± 6 years, stature 1.69 ± 0.05 m body mass 61.6 ± 8.0 kg, VO2max 50.4 ± 5.8 ml·kg−1·min−1) completed the countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), 2.4 km run time trial (2.4kmTT), running economy test (RE) and a graded exercise test measures at baseline. They were then randomly assigned to three groups, the control (CON), PT or IST group, and completed the circuit, plyometric or isometric training, respectively, twice a week for 6 weeks, while still continuing to perform their planned running training. They then completed the same set of measures performed at baseline post-intervention. Results: Significant time x group interactions and time main effect were observed for 2.4kmTT (P = .002, ƞ2p = .45 and P < .001, ƞ2 =0.72), maximal aerobic speed (MAS) (P = .006, ƞ2p = .39), CMJ height (P < .001, ƞ2p = .55) and IMTP relative peak force (P = .001, ƞ2p = .50) in favor of PT and IST. Significant main effect for time was observed for 2.4kmTT (P < .001, ƞ2p = .72), RE (P = .048, ƞ2p = .17), VO2max (P = .047, ƞ2p = .18), MAS (P < .001, ƞ2p = .63), CMJ height (P < .001, ƞ2p = .51) and IMTP relative peak force (P < .001, ƞ2p = .58). Conclusion: In conclusion, both PT and IST were similarly effective at enhancing running endurance performance. However, IST resulted in greater improvement to RE.
Brain Breaks® physical activity solutions in the classroom and on attitudes toward physical activity: A randomized controlled trial among primary students from eight countries
Classroom-based physical activity (PA) interventions have received considerable attention due to improvements seen in academic achievement, classroom behaviors, and attitude toward PA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Brain Breaks® Physical Activity Solutions in changing children’s attitudes toward PA. Students (N = 3036) aged 8–11 years from schools in Croatia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, and Turkey were randomly assigned to either a control or an experimental group. The experimental group received Brain Breaks® videos during classroom sessions throughout the four months of intervention. Student attitudes toward PA were measured using the Attitudes toward Physical Activity Scale (APAS) before and after the intervention. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a time interaction effect for all APAS variables except fitness. Time-by-group interaction effects with different effect sizes were found for most APAS variables, with the greatest gain effect noted in the experimental group for self-efficacy, followed by learning from the videos concerning PA benefits, exercise importance, and enjoyment from engaging in PA. This study provides evidence supporting Brain Breaks® in terms of learning experience, attitudes towards PA, and personal motivation. Using exercise videos is recommended as an interactive, technology-based PA solution that can be easily integrated into the school setting.
The influence of mental training and playing circuit-based training program on student volleyball learning outcomes
This research was motivated by the need for more application of physical education learning models in the form of games, especially in volleyball learning. It is known that many students feel bored and unenthusiastic when taking volleyball lessons. Apart from that, students find it difficult and are not mentally prepared to carry out volleyball techniques; as a result, they feel anxious or afraid when doing these techniques in front of other friends. This experimental type of research aims to determine the effect of mental training and playing circuits-based training programs on the learning outcomes of elementary school volleyball students. This study included 44 fifth-grade students from 2 classes at Sekolah Dasar Pembangunan Laboratorium Universitas Negeri Padang. Purposive sampling technique was utilised. A pre- and post-test of volleyball skills were determined by volleyball experts. The paired t-test was used to analyze the data. Data analysis revealed that mental training-based training programs and playing circuits affected the learning outcomes of volleyball for elementary school students at Sekolah Dasar Pembangunan Laboratorium Universitas Negeri Padang. Results indicated significant differences between pre- and post-quality basic volleyball technical skills test (pre: highest score: 70; lowest score: 60; average score: 64.09 ± 2.81 vs. post: highest score: 77; lowest score: 65; average score: 68.68 ± 3.09; p = 0.000). The learning model based on mental training and playing sequences may improve basic volleyball technical skills and increase students' self-confidence and motivation when participating in learning.
Running Energy Reserve Index (RERI) as a new model for assessment and prediction of world, elite, sub-elite, and collegiate running performances
The purpose of this study was to utilize the Running Energy Reserve Index (RERI) model and two-trial procedure to predict all-out athletic performances. Twenty-nine trained athletes tested for differences between RERIE and RERIspd (hypothesis 1). Six sprint trained (ST), six middle distance (MD), and six endurance trained (ET) athletes were selected to test for differences in the value of the constant. The prediction of all-out run performances using the RERI model (hypothesis 2) and two treadmill trials procedure (hypothesis 3) were tested on eighteen trained athletes. Lastly, three trained athletes were utilized to predict all-out running performances utilizing two track trials equation (hypothesis 3). RERIE and RERIspd were significantly different between ST, MD, and ET athletes. The RERIE model with a fixed cE value of 0.0185 s−1 predicted all-out running performances to within an average of 2.39 ± 2.04% (R2 = 0.99, nT = 252) for all athletes, with treadmill trials to within an average of 2.26 ± 1.89% (R2 = 0.99, nT = 203) and track trials to within an average of 2.95 ± 2.51% (R2 = 0.99, nT = 49). The two trials equations predicted all-out track performances to within errors of 2.43%. The RERI model may be accurate in determining running performances of 200 m and 5000 m, and treadmill performances ranging between 5 and 1340 s with a high level of accuracy. In addition, the two-trial procedure can be used to determine short and middle distance running performances of athletes and world-class runners.