Sports Sciences Commons^™

Sprint Performance Following Plyometric Conditioning Activity In Elite Sprinters, Kinga Huminska-Lisowska, Aleksandra Strońska-Pluta, Aleksandra Suchanecka, Myosotis Massidda, Grzegorz Trybek, Carla Maria Calò, Agata Rzeszutko-Bełzowska, Remigiusz Recław, Anna Grzywacz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: This study investigates an association between the human dopamine receptor 2 gene DRD2 Taq1D rs1800498 polymorphism and personality traits among athletes, exploring the genetic underpinnings of sports performance and psychological characteristics. It aims to understand how genetic factors related to dopamine reception influence athletic predispositions and behaviors. Materials and Methods: An association study was conducted with 391 male participants, comparing 159 sports subjects with 232 non-trained controls. Personality traits were assessed using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, while the DRD2 Taq1D rs1800498 polymorphism was genotyped through real-time PCR. Results: Significant differences in the DRD2 Taq1D rs1800498 genotype and allele frequencies …

Sprint Performance Following Plyometric Conditioning Activity In Elite Sprinters, Michal Krzysztofik, Mateusz Jopek, Dariusz Mroczek, Aleksander Matusiński, Adam Zając

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Considering the significance of the ankle joint for sprinting with the spring-like properties of the Achilles tendon, it seems that plyometric activating exercises could significantly potentiate maximum velocity sprinting. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of specific plyometric exercises engaging the ankle joint, called stiff-legged hops as a conditioning activity (CA) on countermovement jump (CMJ) and sprinting performance evaluated over a distance of 50m in elite female and male sprinters that differ in athletics level. Material and methods: Thirty-two sprinters of the Polish National Team were assigned into experimental and control (CTRL) groups, while …

Attitudes And Self-Efficacy Of Swimming Coaches Towards The Inclusion Of Swimmers With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Eleftheria Kasagianni, Dimitrios Kokaridas, Panagiotis Varsamis, Vasilis Tsimaras

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes and self-efficacy of swimming coaches regarding the inclusion of swimmers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The sample consisted of 150 Greek swimming coaches with an average age of 29.58 years. Each participant completed the Swimming Coaches Attitudes towards Inclusion Questionnaire for perceptions assessment and the Biddle and Goudas (1997) self-efficacy questionnaire. The statistical analysis used SPSS 27 to calculate Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson product-moment correlations, independent t-tests, and ANOVA. The findings of the study showed that the swimming coaches expressed positive attitudes and a high percentage of perceived self-efficacy towards the …

In This Issue 14:3, Stephen J. Langendorfer Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

In This Issue 14:3

A Research Framework To Improve Evidence-Based Practice Surrounding The Resuscitation Response To Drowning In Surf Lifesaving, Elissa Hooper, Aaron T. Scanlan, Shayne D. Baker, Samantha Fien

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Surf lifesaving members are essential first responders who patrol public waterways, performing rescues and resuscitation to individuals in the community when needed. In this way, surf lifesaving members experience arduous physical requirements alongside extensive psychological stress during resuscitation. Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) represents the predominant, frontline lifesaving service in Queensland, Australia; however, little research has explored key aspects of drowning resuscitations involving this organisation, as well as in the broader lifesaving industry, limiting our current understanding on this vital topic. We sought to explore key aspects of drowning resuscitations within SLSQ and create a framework to generate evidence-based practice. …

‘You Have To Respect The Water’: Participant Experiences Of Appreciating And Managing The Risks Associated With Open Water Swimming – A Rapid Ethnographic Study, Mark A. Christie, David Elliott

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Open water swimming (OWS) has rapidly grown in popularity, driven by the purported health benefits of cold-water immersion. A paucity of research remains specifically considering the notable risks inherent in OWS participation, and a lack of qualitative research on freshwater swimming experiences, and safety-related issues therein. This rapid ethnographic study, based at a dedicated OWS lake in the UK, conducted semi-structured interviews with OWS participants (n=17; female=11, male=6). Two core themes emerged: environmental issues impacting OWS experiences and behaviours; and knowledge and education of OWS which highlighted safe/unsafe practices, levels of education for managing risks, personal preparedness, swimming solo/with others, …

Lay Rescuer Equipment Preferences And Efficacy During A Simulated Drowning Event, Alison M. Miller, William D. Ramos, Kristina R. Anderson, Jill Cuvala

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

During a drowning incident where a lifeguard is not present, a bystander – referred to as a lay rescuer - may put themselves in danger by attempting a rescue. When lay rescuers can avoid entering the water by using rescue equipment to help a drowning victim, it serves to not only help the person actively drowning, but also provides a layer of protection to a lay rescuer. This study sought to examine the following questions: (a) which pieces of rescue equipment were preferred by lay rescuers at pre-determined short and long distances, (b) do lay rescuers select appropriate rescue equipment …

Barriers: Location, Functionality, And Method Of Access In Childhood Pool/Spa Submersion Incidents, United States, 2000-2017, Alison Miller, Kristina R. Anderson, William D. Ramos

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Drowning is a leading cause of fatality among children in the United States, and residential pools/spas currently account for as much as 80% of these submersion incidents. This study reviewed narrative case reports obtained from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to understand barrier location, type, and functionality as methods of pool/spa access for childhood submersion incidents. Retroactive analysis of 1,523 fatal and non-fatal submersion incidents among children aged 13 years old and younger was conducted using the CPSC in depth investigation dataset from 2000-2017. Narrative descriptions were coded according to the attributes of barrier location, functionality, and …

Perceived And Real Water Competency And Drowning Risk Among Adults, Teresa Stanley, Kevin Moran, Dawn Garbett, Alan Ovens

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Traditionally, public understanding of drowning survival has focused on swimming capacity, often measured by how far a person can swim. With respect to the high incidence of adult drowning in high-income countries, using the more inclusive concept of water competency may yield a more comprehensive explanatory framework for understanding the reasons behind these drownings. Any competency base required to survive a drowning situation is dynamic, complex, and multi-faceted. Furthermore, perceptions of risk and capacity to cope with that risk are likely to be pivotal to the avoidance of drowning. Adults’ perceived water competence was measured against their actual water competence …

How Does Rest Interval Duration Affect Performance? An Experiment On High-Intensity Sprint Exercises, İbrahim Orkun Akcan, Cengiz Ölmez

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of interval and high-intensity sprint training (RST) with different rest intervals on the respiratory function, aerobic and anaerobic power. (2) Materials and Methods: The study involved the voluntary participation of 20 male participants. The participants were divided into two groups: 2IRG (2-minute rest between repeated sprints) and 4IRG (4-minute rest between repeated sprints). The changes in the respiratory function, aerobic, and anaerobic power parameters were examined in the 2IRG and 4IRG athletes who performed two training sessions per week for 4 weeks. (3) Results: The findings indicated that there …

The Effects Of Complex Elastic Band Training On Physical Fitness Components In Junior Female Handball Players, Mehrez Hammami, Ryland Morgans, Piotr Zmijewski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 10-week complex elastic band training (CEBT) program on athletic performance in junior female handball players. Methods: Participants (16.2 ± 0.5 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 16) or control group (CG; n = 14). The IG group performed CEBT twice a week during the 10-week intervention, which included eight 35-minute sessions, progressing in number of sets and band resistance for each specific exercise. The CG maintained regular in-season training. The modified T-test (T-half), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump …

The Impact Of Physique On Strategy And Performance In The 400 M Hurdles Race Among Elite Male Athletes, Janusz Iskra, Subir Gupta, Krzysztof Przednowek, René V. Best, Arkadiusz Stanula

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: the objective of this study was to assess the impact of physique on the stride pattern and performance of elite male 400-m hurdles runners. Materials and Methods: this study is based on the analysis of the performance of 297 male 400-m hurdlers in 13 Olympic games, 16 world championships, and 15 European championships. The hurdlers were divided into 4 groups, based on their height and body mass index (BMI) – taller and heavier (TH), taller and lighter (TL), shorter and heavier (SH), and shorter and lighter (SL). Times taken to complete various phases of the 400-m hurdles race – …

Evaluating Drowning Prevention Campaigns - The Challenge Of Getting The Right Information To The Right People At The Right Time: A Response To Calverley, Petrass, And Blitvich, Gemma Crawford, Meg Abercromby, Malena Della Bona, Justine E. Leavy Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Evidence-informed decision making requires timely and readily available research and evaluation for policy and practice. In the context of drowning prevention, evaluation of interventions in the grey and peer reviewed literature is relatively scarce. Lack of evidence and associated barriers to access limits the scope of knowledge translation efforts and the application of research outcomes to initiatives designed to prevent drowning. The paper, Alcohol Focused Drowning Prevention Campaigns: What Do We Know and What Should We Do Now? highlights a lack of specific evaluation for alcohol-focused drowning prevention campaigns. We offer insights as evaluators of a youth water safety program …

Subacute To Chronic Subdural Hematoma In An 18-Year-Old Male Football Player, Peyton Bodemann

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The purpose of the report is to present the case of a high school football player who survived two brain surgeries to treat a subacute subdural hematoma that turned chronic (cSDH). This case proves to be unique due to the lack of mechanism, the age of the patient, the complications from surgery, and the recovery.^9,12,16 The patient underwent an MMA (middle meningeal artery) embolization to treat the subacute hematoma, followed by a double burr hole craniotomy with drainage of chronic subdural hematoma. It is important for athletic trainers along with other members of the health care system to work …

Acute Simultaneous Medial And Lateral Ankle Sprain In A Collegiate Football Player: A Case Report, Ian Matlack

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The purpose of this case report is to present a twenty-year-old African American male with a complex ankle injury. During a collegiate football game, the athlete injured his left ankle, damaging his deltoid ligament complex, and lateral ankle complex, causing several bone bruises and tearing his peroneal retinaculum. With surgery being declined, standard rehabilitation protocols of POLICE for initial management of inflammation, strengthening, and ROM exercises were conducted. Manual therapies consisting of milking massage, scraping, and joint mobilizations were added to aid in pain and edema control. Comparative case studies suggest that the athlete may have experienced a subluxation of …

Influence Of Education On Awareness Of Sports Specialization And Injury Prevention Recommendations Among Health Care Providers, Shelly Fetchen Dicesaro, Eric Post, Tamara Valovich Mcleod, Traci Snedden, Denise Mohrbacher, David Bell, Tracy Zaslow

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Sport specialization has been linked with overuse injury in youth sports, leading to the development of specific recommendations to reduce injury risk. However, the incorporation of these recommendations into formal educational and professional development of healthcare providers (HCP), and their effectiveness for raising HCP awareness of this topic, is unknown. Objective: To determine associations between formal education or professional development regarding overuse injury prevention and awareness of current recommendations among HCPs caring for youth athletes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional design using an online survey to assess HCP awareness of sports specialization recommendations pertaining to focused sport and participation …

Teaching Exercise Physiology With Flipped Classroom Method In The Era Of Covid-19: Experience Of A Remote Course, Valéria Panissa, Cláudia Lúcia De Moraes Forjaz, Bruno Rocha De Avila Pelozin, Gabriel Loureiro Martins, Ailma Oliveira Da Paixão, Raphael Ferreira De Paiva Barreto, Patricia Chakur Brum

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe the use of flipped classroom method in a forced remote Exercise Physiology course during the COVID-19 pandemic and assess the students’ motivation and learning throughout the course. METHODS: Undergraduate students received recorded asynchronous activities each week that should be done before a weekly synchronous meeting. During synchronous and asynchronous activities, strategies to emphasize students’ active participation were applied. Weekly, learning evaluation activities were applied, and the motivation was assessed. At the end of the course, students’ motivation and learning about each activity were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 14 course topics, 2 …

A Perfect Storm?: The Association Of Vitamin D With Injury Incidence Among Acrobatics And Tumbling Athletes, Katherine M. Lee, Andrew R. Gallucci, Jeff S. Forsse, Leticia Cherpe De Souza, Laura R. Irvin, Emily J. Boyer, Kristin H. Fant, Jeffery Heileson, Leslee Funderburk

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Acrobatics and Tumbling (A&T) is an emerging NCAA sport. Due to the novelty of the sport, limited research on injury incidence and correlates exists. Anecdotal evidence suggests that A&T presents with high injury rates. A relationship between vitamin D and bony injuries exists among athletes, but little is known about soft tissue injuries. Understanding the causes and incidence of injuries, including vitamin D, may assist athletic trainers. Methods: Forty-two A&T athletes (19.69 ± 1.199 years) completed 2 blood draws as part of routine medical care prior to and following fall training period. Results: Average vitamin D at T1 was …

Student Perspectives On Transition From Bachelor’S To Master’S Degree For Professional Athletic Trainers: Advantages And Disadvantages, Bobbi A. Severt, Michael B. Phillips, Janet Kesterson Isbell

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the perspectives of students interested in a career in athletic training on the degree change and what they perceive as advantages and disadvantages to pursuing a master's level professional degree in athletic training. Method: A case study was conducted using an interpretivism framework informed by a constructionism theoretical stance. A focus group of six current undergraduate pre-athletic training students and individual interviews of three pre-athletic training graduates along with current and historical documents were used to collect data. An inductive approach was used to analyze data along with reflexive thematic analysis …

Benefits Of Pilates Exercises On Functional Fitness And Quality Of Life In Older Men: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Mohammad Khazaei, Jolanta Marszałek, Reza Aminzadeh, Elham Dehghani, Bahador Azizi

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: As age increases, declines in basic motor skills are observed in older men. Limited physical activity-based interventions, such as Pilates exercises, focus on enhancing these basic motor skills. This study aimed to identify the benefits of Pilates exercises on functional fitness and the quality of life in older men.

Material and Methods: Older men were randomly assigned to either a Pilates exercises group or a control group. Balance, strength, flexibility, and agility were tested using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT). The Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (SF-36) assessed the quality of life before and after 6 weeks of Pilates exercises. Differences over …