Abstract: In England, there is a growing interest in futsal, driven by people who enjoy participating in the sport and others who see futsal as a development tool for those looking to succeed in football - dubbed the countries national sport. Nationally, the development of the sport has been overseen by futsal's governing body, The Football Association (FA), to improve the fortunes of the national futsal team and to provide a structure for the sport to grow at both grassroots and elite level. A lack of research into futsal exists, particularly around participation in the sport, and therefore there is insufficient knowledge to supply the elevated interest in the sport. The study establishes baseline measures to gain a greater understanding of futsal participation in England, to provide an indication of how many people participate in the sport; who participates, where, why and how? The study methodology was two-fold, firstly, analysis of primary and secondary data was undertaken to identify the number of teams and participants playing competitively between 7th January and 4th March 2013 - to provide a snapshot of futsal participation in England. The results, although indicative, show that during the course of this research there were 1975 teams playing organised competitive futsal and approximately 12,449 participants playing the sport during this period. Secondly, the research provides insight into participation trends of futsal from online survey responses of 108 futsal participants and 30 County FA coordinators, responsible for the development of the game nationwide. The evidence from respondents indicates that futsal is more popular than other variants of small sided football, with many respondents substituting or displacing their participation in other formats, to play futsal, while many also wish to increase their participation in the sport. Barriers to participation are also prevalent, particularly with regards to the availability and quality of facilities.

Abstract: The significant role of anthropometric characteristics in sport performance besides other factors is well known. Requirement of specific physique for good performance in specific sports has been established in different studies. The athletic performance of Bangladesh is not that much well and that might be due to different physiological or psychological or skill level aspects. A physical and physiological study was conducted to find out the reason for poor performance of the Track and Field athletes as athletic performance was more dependent on physiological demands besides skill and techniques. Body composition, somatotype and VO_2max of twenty-eight national level athletes (15 male and 13 female) were studied at Bangladesh Institute of Sports (BKSP). Average height and weight of the female athletes of the present study were 157.6 cm (± 5.4) and 50.6 kg (± 4.5) respectively with an average age of 17.8 yr (± 1.6). The stature ranged between 149.0 cm and 166.2 cm whereas that of body weight was between 44.0 kg and 60.3 kg. Similarly their male counterparts possessed an average height of 171.2 cm (SD ± 7.5, range 157.4.cm - 181.4 cm) with an average body mass of 62.7 kg (SD ± 8.2, range 47.2 kg– 73.5 kg). A slightly high body fat% of 18.4 (SD ± 2.3, range 14.1% - 22.0%) was observed for the female athletes whereas that of their male counterparts was 7.9% (SD ± 1.5, range 5.7% - 11.3%). Average balanced mesomorph with less mesomorph component was observed for the female athletes (2.7±0.5−3.4±0.9−2.7±0.9) while that of their male counterparts was ectomorphic mesomorph with less mesomorph component (1.5±0.4−4.0±1.1−3.0±1.1). Normal range of body fat% was observed both in male and female athletes with slightly higher in females. An average VO_2max of 45.3 ml.kg^-1.min^-1 (SD ± 6.6, range 34.1-56.1) was observed for female athletes whereas that of their male counterparts was 59.1 ml.kg^-1.min^-1 (SD ± 5.3, range 50.3- 68.4). Anthropometric characteristics in terms of Somatotype of the Bangladeshi athletes were poor compare to Olympians and other international athletes though the physiological aspects in terms of VO_2max were more considerable compare to international athletes. Hence, poor performance of Bangladeshi athletics might be due to poor anthropometric characteristics which support the importance of Anthropometric characteristics in athletic performances.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a resistance exercise training versus an endurance training on the morpho-functional aspects of elderly men. The sample was made of 31 elderly men, divided into two groups, where 17 subjects (66.35±3.82 yrs) performed resistance exercise training (RET) and 14 subjects (69.21±6.90 yrs) performed endurance training (ET), for 12 weeks. The variables assessed were muscle thickness, body composition, electromyographic muscle activity (EMG), force production and functional mobility. A two-way ANOVA (by group and by intervention) for repeated measurements (pre- and post-) was used for the comparison of EMG. The remaining variables were analyzed intra-group (pre- and post-) using paired Student’s t-test. The significance level adopted was of 5%. The ET showed significantly higher reduction in total body mass and body mass index (BMI) in comparison to the RET group. The RET group showed significantly greater gains in force production and muscle thickness when compared to the ET. Our results suggest that the combination of RET using Swiss balls and rubber bands, in other words, low cost materials, in addition to easy adherence ET, as walking, can improve the neuromuscular system and body composition.

Abstract: This study aimed to examine the effects of repeated training on the controlled force exertion (CFE) test and retention in dominant and nondominant hands. The subjects were 10 young males (mean age, 21.8 ± 1.4 years). The CFE test was used as the repeated training task and performed 5 days per week over 3 weeks (a total of 15 times). The exertion value of the subjects’ handgrip strengths was matched to constantly changing demand values for 40 s. Three trials were performed after one practice trial. The difference between the demand value and the grip exertion value was used as the evaluation parameter, referred to as the CFE error, and the mean of the second and third trials was used for analysis. The initial and final values for the dominant and nondominant hands and those taken one month after the repeated training task were used for analysis. A two-way analysis of variance revealed that the final CFE errors for both hands were significantly smaller than the initial CFE errors, and no significant difference was found between the dominant and nondominant hands in the final tests. In addition, after one month, the CFE errors for both hands were significantly smaller than the initial CFE errors and were significantly smaller in the dominant hand than in the nondominant hand. Repeated training in controlled force exertion improves CFE in both the dominant and nondominant hands, but the dominant and nondominant hands differ in retention of the effects.

Abstract: The purposes of this study are to establish the relationships among vertical jumping parameters, aerobic fitness and sprint running performance and to examine the anthropometric and physiological profile in elite Futsal Tunisian players. Twenty-six elite Tunisian Futsal players (age 26 ± 3 years, height 1.77 ± 0.75 m, weight 69.3 ± 8.5 Kg) volunteered to participate in this study. On separate days, all participants were asked to perform physical performance tests (Squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), sprint and aerobic power test (20-m shuttle run). Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data set and to identify which variables significantly influence sprint performance variables. We have found in the current study a negative association between 10 m sprint time and maximal oxygen uptake (r= -0.44, p<0.05). Leg anaerobic power characteristics were inversely related to 20 m (r= -0.46) and 10 × 5 m sprint time (r= -0.41). Therefore, muscle power and maximum oxygen uptake seem to be important physiological characteristics for sprinting performance in elite Futsal Tunisian players. This study could help practitioners and coaches to better design training by emphasizing the importance of combining adapted leg muscular power training with sprint running training programs for improving short-distance sprint performance.

Abstract: This study aimed to examine the effects of different taping pressures with or without external force on the maximum dorsal flexion angle (DFA). Twenty-two healthy male university students with >5 years of athletic experience participated. A qualified trainer wound a rigid tape thrice around subject’s wrist joint. Taping pressure was measured using the pressure measuring system AMI3037-SB. Independent variables were five experimental conditions (5 hPa, 30 hPa, 60 hPa, and 90 hPa, and control) and two measurement conditions for the wrist joint DFA with non-external and external forces. In the former, the subject flexed the wrist joint himself (active DFA), while in the latter, a trainer helped in flexion (passive DFA). The dependent variable was the maximum DFA. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA (taping pressure × different DFA measurement) and multiple comparison tests showed that passive DFA was significantly larger than active DFA under all taping pressure conditions. Active DFA was smaller under 30-hPa condition than under the 5-hPa condition, and was smaller under 60-hPa conditions than under control and 5-hPa conditions, and was smaller under 90-hPa condition than under the other conditions. Passive DFA was smaller under 30- and 60-hPa conditions than under control and 5-hPa conditions, and was smaller under 90-hPa condition than under control, 5-, and 30-hPa conditions. In conclusion, the passive DFA is larger than the active DFA, regardless of taping pressure. Wrist taping with pressure over 30 hPa limits DFA, particularly at 90 hPa.

Abstract: Only limited data are available regarding the physical functions of elderly patients during the maintenance period after suffering from cardiac or other serious diseases. This study aimed to clarify age- and gender-related differences in the elderly physical functions by mainly comparing data from elderly subjects during the maintenance period with nationwide physical fitness data of healthy elderly subjects collected by the Japanese Ministry of Education. One hundred and sixty-seven elderly individuals who participated in a regular exercise therapy program twice a week participated in this study. Grip strength, 10-m obstacle walking time, one-legged balance with eyes open, sit-ups, sitting trunk flexion, and 6-min walking were selected as the physical function tests. In the gender and age groups considered, compared with the standard value, grip strength, sit-ups, and sitting trunk flexion were lower; 10-m obstacle walking time was similar or higher; and 6-min walking data were similar. One-legged balance with eyes open was lower in subjects, except for males in the young elderly group. Grip strength was significantly higher in females than in males; however, the results from the 10-m obstacle walking time, one-legged balance with eyes open, sit-ups, and 6-min walking tests did not show any significant difference between genders. The young old elderly groups performed better in all tests, except for sit-ups and one-legged balance with eyes open (females), in both genders compared with the old elderly groups. In conclusion, during the maintenance period, the elderly subjects who participated in group sports and exercise therapy performed similarly or better in the 10-m obstacle walking time and 6-min walking tests than the healthy elderly individuals of the same age group; however, they performed worse in grip strength, sit-ups, and sitting trunk flexion. However, our results suggest that the effect of performing sports and exercise therapy may differ between genders.

Abstract: Sports talent may be identified from young children when they show interest in different sports. Anthropometric, physical, cardiorespiratory fitness and lipids profiles contribute to selection procedures. The present study was undertaken to investigate the anthropometric, physical, cardiorespiratiory fitness and lipids and lipoprotein profiles of 10-16 yrs children, in order to identify sports talent in them. A total of 225 male children of 10-16 yrs age volunteered for this study; were divided equally into 3 groups (i) Prepubertal (age-11.0 ± 0.8yrs, n=75); (ii) Pubertal (age 13.5 ± 0.5 yrs, n=75); (iii) Postpubertal (age 15.5 ± 0.5 yrs, n=75). Selected anthropometric, physical and cardiorespiratiory fitness variables were measured for each group. A significantly (P<0.05) greater height, body mass, BSA, LBM, mid upper arm circumference, hip and trunk flexibility, grip strengths, abdominal strength, elastic leg strength, maximum speed, peak power, VO_2max, FVC, FEV1, PEFR, blood pressure and serum HDL-C level were observed in Postpubertal children when compared to Prepubertal and Pubertal children. However, a significantly (P<0.05) lower percent body fat, reaction time, maximal heart rate, recovery heart rates and serum triglyceride level were noted in Postpubertal children when compared to Prepubertal and Pubertal children. The waist- hip ratio of pubertal children was noted significantly higher (P<0.05) when compared to prepubertal and postpurbertal children. No significant change was reported in BMI, resting heart rate, serum total cholesterol and LDL-C levels among the groups. Identification of children at early stage of their growth and development may produce elite athletes in the future. Talent identification also can be used as a counseling technique that helps to discover and explore areas of talent for particular athletes.

Abstract: The objective of this study is to compare the muscular activity of lower extremity muscles while running on treadmill and on overground surfaces. A total of 13 experienced heel-to-toe runners participated in the study. Electromyographic (EMG) data of four lower extremity muscles, including rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius, were collected using the Noraxon EMG system while running on a treadmill and on overground surfaces at a running speed of 3.8 m/s. The obtained data were then analyzed. In this study, throughout the stance phase, the EMG values in the rectus femoris (P<0.01) and the biceps femoris (P<0.05) were higher while running on overground surfaces than those on a treadmill. The EMG values in the rectus femoris (P<0.05) and the biceps femoris (P<0.05) were also higher on concrete than those on grass in the stance phase. Results showed that the muscle activity was significantly different in treadmill running than in overground running. The difference in muscle activity while running on different overground surfaces was also found in this study. Kinematic adjustment of the lower extremity may explain the EMG difference while running on different surfaces.

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the acute change of static stretching (SS) on autonomic nerve activity and to clarify the effect of SS on systemic circulation. Twenty healthy young, male volunteers performed a 1-min SS motion of the right triceps surae muscle, repeated five times. The autonomic nerve activity balance was obtained using second derivatives of the photoplethysmogram readings before (pre), during, and after (post) SS. Heart rate and blood pressure (BP) were also measured. The autonomic nerve activity significantly changed to parasympathetic dominance by SS as compared with pre. In addition, for SS, the autonomic nerve activity slowly changed to sympathetic dominance after completion of all sets of stretching, but these value did not return to pre during the 5 minutes after the completion of all sets of stretching, with parasympathetic dominance continuing by 4 minutes after SS. The BP and HR transiently increased during SS and decreased after SS. In addition, HR significantly decreased after completion of all sets of SS.The possibility that the response during SS may differ from the response during active static stretching is shown.