Heart Rate Responses of Referees During the 2011 Eurobasket Championship.

The purpose of the study was to describe heart rate responses of referees during a major international basketball championship. Heart rate (HR) data was collected from 26 international referees officiating 48 matches (95 matches ‘worth’ of data) at the 2011 Eurobasket Championship. HR was subsequently normalised to percentage of theoretical maximum, and used to calculate time spent in different exercise intensity zones (Light, moderate, heavy, very heavy) across successive phases of the tournament and successive quarters (Q) of matches. Mean HR was 81.89±13.4% of theoretical maximum during match play, and there were no significant differences in HR recorded during different phases of the championship. However, relative HR progressively decreased with each quarter of the matches (Q1; 91.43±7.6%, Q2;90.51±7.1%, Q3; 88.23±7.3%, Q4; 88.21±7.5% HRmax). This decrease in %HRmax recorded relative to Q1 reached statistical significance (P<0.05) in Q3 and Q4. Although percentage of total match time spent in ‘hard’ and ‘light’ exercise intensity categories remained similar across quarters of matches, there was a reduction in time spent in ‘very hard’ activity from 10.93±16.08% in Q1 to 5.73±10.36% in Q3 and 5.55±10.74% in Q4 (both P<0.05). This reduction in ‘very hard’ activity was accompanied by an increase in ‘moderate’ intensity activity from 15.06±14.29% in Q1 to 23.37±17.12% in Q3 and 24.35±20.31% in Q4 (both P<0.01). The data suggests that international basketball referees are unable to maintain initial exercise intensity for four successive quarters of championship play. This is in contrast to available data suggesting elite players are able to maintain or increase exercise intensity as matches progress. This has implications for the physical conditioning requirements of international level match officials

Dietary salt intake assessed by 24 h urinary sodium excretion in Australian schoolchildren aged 5–13 years

Objective To measure total daily salt intake using 24 h urinary Na excretion within a sample of Victorian schoolchildren aged 5&ndash;13 years and to assess discretionary salt use habits of children and parents.Design Cross-sectional study.Setting Completed within a convenience sample of independent primary schools (n 9) located in Victoria, Australia.Subjects Two hundred and sixty children completed a 24 h urine collection over a school (34 %) or non-school day (66 %). Samples deemed incomplete (n 18), an over-collection (n 1) or that were incorrectly processed at the laboratory (n 3) were excluded.Results The sample comprised 120 boys and 118 girls with a mean age of 9&middot;8 (sd 1&middot;7) years. The average 24 h urinary Na excretion (n 238) was 103 (sd 43) mmol/24 h (salt equivalent 6&middot;0 (sd 2&middot;5) g/d). Daily Na excretion did not differ by sex; boys 105 (sd 46) mmol/24 h (salt equivalent 6&middot;1 (sd 2&middot;7) g/d) and girls 100 (sd 41) mmol/24 h (salt equivalent 5&middot;9 (sd 2&middot;4) g/d; P = 0&middot;38). Sixty-nine per cent of children (n 164) exceeded the recommended daily Upper Limit for Na. Reported discretionary salt use was common: two-thirds of parents reported adding salt during cooking and almost half of children reported adding salt at the table.Conclusions The majority of children had salt intakes exceeding the recommended daily Upper Limit. Strategies to lower salt intake in children are urgently required, and should include product reformulation of lower-sodium food products combined with interventions targeting discretionary salt use within the home

Effectiveness of a community football programme on improving physiological markers of health in a hard-to-reach male population: the role of exercise intensity

© 2015 Taylor & Francis. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of participation in recreational football during a community health programme, on physiological markers of health within a hard to reach population. Nine men (Age: 33 ± 9 years, Mass: 75.4 ± 13.7 kg, Height: 1.74 ± 0.07 m and Body Fat: 19 ± 2%) were recruited to participate in the study in collaboration with an English Premier League Football Club. Participants completed the 12-week football-based programme which included two coached football sessions each week. Physiological tests for blood pressure, resting heart rate, cholesterol and an anthropometrical test for body composition were completed at three time points during the study (Weeks – 1, 6 and 12) in an attempt to evaluate the impact of the intervention on health. During each training session, measurements of intensity (%HRmax, identified from the yoyo intermittent level 1 test), duration and rating of perceived exertion were made. The 12-week programme (mean HRmax throughout programme = 75 ± 4% beats min−1; mean RPE throughout programme = 6 ± 1) elicited few changes in physiological markers of health with the only significant change been a decrease in resting heart rate from weeks 6 to 12 (87 ± 22 beats min−1 at week-6, to 72 ± 17 beats min−1; p < 0.05). These data would suggest that the current community football-related health project was not effective in improving physiological markers of health, but was able to maintain their level of health. A lack of improvement may be due to the low intensity of sessions and a lack of coach education for the promotion of sessions that aim to improve health

Netball in the lives of New Zealand Women: An Intergenerational Study

This thesis explores the netball experiences of a selection of New Zealand women whom have participated or continue to participate in netball during four distinct historical periods. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, it sheds light on the broader socio-cultural and political changes that have influenced and shaped women’s experiences of netball throughout history. Drawing upon data gathered from primary and secondary sources and four focus groups, I examine the lived experiences of women who played netball during the 1940’s, 1970’s, 1990’s and the early 21st century. In so doing I reveal how broader shifts in gender relations have impacted women’s netball experiences, focusing particularly on their initial involvement, participation at recreational and competitive levels, and ultimate withdrawal. Moreover, an intergenerational discussion of these women’s experiences reveals some of the differences evident between the experiences of women during these four historical junctures. Exploring women’s netball experiences in relation to broader social change, time and context both within and across generations, this thesis provides unique insights into the changing nature and dynamics of netball in New Zealand, shifting social constructions of femininity and women’s sporting identities, as well as women’s unique and diverse experiences and understandings of their participation

Estimating body composition in adolescent sprint athletes : comparison of different methods in a 3 years longitudinal design

A recommended field method to assess body composition in adolescent sprint athletes is currently lacking. Existing methods developed for non-athletic adolescents were not longitudinally validated and do not take maturation status into account. This longitudinal study compared two field methods, i.e., a Bio Impedance Analysis (BIA) and a skinfold based equation, with underwater densitometry to track body fat percentage relative to years from age at peak height velocity in adolescent sprint athletes. In this study, adolescent sprint athletes (34 girls, 35 boys) were measured every 6 months during 3 years (age at start = 14.8 +/- 1.5yrs in girls and 14.7 +/- 1.9yrs in boys). Body fat percentage was estimated in 3 different ways: 1) using BIA with the TANITA TBF 410; 2) using a skinfold based equation; 3) using underwater densitometry which was considered as the reference method. Height for age since birth was used to estimate age at peak height velocity. Cross-sectional analyses were performed using repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson correlations between measurement methods at each occasion. Data were analyzed longitudinally using a multilevel cross-classified model with the PROC Mixed procedure. In boys, compared to underwater densitometry, the skinfold based formula revealed comparable values for body fatness during the study period whereas BIA showed a different pattern leading to an overestimation of body fatness starting from 4 years after age at peak height velocity. In girls, both the skinfold based formula and BIA overestimated body fatness across the whole range of years from peak height velocity. The skinfold based method appears to give an acceptable estimation of body composition during growth as compared to underwater densitometry in male adolescent sprinters. In girls, caution is warranted when interpreting estimations of body fatness by both BIA and a skinfold based formula since both methods tend to give an overestimation

Mensaje del presidente para la edición inaugural del ISAK Journal

oai:ojs2.ijok.org:article/3It is with both pleasure and pride that ISAK announces the first edition of the International Journal of Kinanthropometry which will showcase research in the area of Anthropometry and its applications. Other than in this first issue, where contributions have been by invitation and evaluated for acceptability by the editorial team, the journal will only publish refereed scientific papers plus research reviews and case studies. You will see that we have an interesting selection of papers for you to read and I thank all contributors for both their research and their willingness to share it with us. The journal marks yet another significant milestone in ISAK’s development and will stand or fall on both the quantity and quality of papers submitted. Although we anticipate that the majority of papers submitted will come from ISAK members, it is not a requirement that submitters and/or co-authors be members of ISAK. Our sincere gratitude for this production goes to the Journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Dr Anup Adhikari and the publication team led by Dr Babu Balraj from IOR Press.Es un placer y un orgullo que ISAK anuncia la primera edición de la Revista Internacional de Cineantropometría, que mostrará la investigación en el área de la antropometría y sus aplicaciones. Aparte de este primer número, donde las contribuciones han sido por invitación y evaluadas para su aceptabilidad por parte del equipo editorial, la revista solo publicará artículos científicos arbitrados más revisiones de investigación y estudios de casos. Verá que tenemos una interesante selección de artículos para que los lea y agradezco a todos los colaboradores tanto por su investigación como por su disposición a compartirla con nosotros. La revista marca otro hito importante en el desarrollo de ISAK y se mantendrá o caerá tanto en la cantidad como en la calidad de los artículos presentados. Aunque anticipamos que la mayoría de los trabajos presentados provendrán de miembros de ISAK, no es un requisito que los remitentes y / o coautores sean miembros de ISAK. Nuestro más sincero agradecimiento por esta producción va para el editor en jefe de la revista, el Dr. Anup Adhikari y el equipo de publicación dirigido por el Dr. Babu Balraj de IOR Press

President’s Message for the 2nd Edition of the ISAK Journal

It is with pleasure that ISAK announces the second edition of the International Journal of Kinanthropometry which will showcase research in the area of Anthropometry and its applications.&nbsp; As with the first issue, significant COVID pressures continue to hamper the production sequence. Thus, contributions have once again been by invitation and evaluated for acceptability by the editorial team. Henceforward, a formal review process will be strictly adhered to and the Journal will only publish refereed scientific papers plus research reviews and case studies. Once again, we have an interesting selection of papers for you to read and I thank all contributors for both their research and their willingness to share it with us. Our sincere gratitude for this production goes to the Journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Dr Anup Adhikari and the publication team led by Dr Babu Balraj from IOR Press all of whom have had to deal with significant challenges posed by the pandemic

Anthropometric and Performance Perspectives of Female Competitive Surfing

Purpose: To evaluate the anthropometric profiles of female surfers and to identify whether any anthropometrical factors might predict competitive ranking. Secondly to evaluate the activity profile of female competitive surfing with respect to environmental conditions using GPS derived measures. Methods: Following institutional ethical approval n = 31 female competitive surfers underwent anthropometric assessment (mean age: 20.49, s = 5.32 years, stature: 165.2, s = 4.8 cm; body mass: 63.0, s = 6.8 Kg) a subsample (n = 22) wore GPS units during competition at four different locations with varied surfing conditions. Results: The mean somatotype values the surfers was found to be (Endo-Meso-Ecto) 4.06 – 4.15 – 2.01. Significant correlations (p <0.05) were found between National ranking and triceps, medial calf skinfolds, sum of six skinfolds, body fat percentage and sum of eight skinfolds. Percentage time sitting, paddling and riding were 62.58% ± 10.18%, 30.70% ± 9.44% and 6.73% ± 2.91% respectively. The mean ride time, maximum ride time, total time spent riding and the total distance surfing were significantly correlated with the round of the competition. Furthermore, the number of rides, time spent riding, percentage of total distance surfing and percentage time riding were correlated with heat placement (p < 0.05). Time spent sitting was associated with poorer heat placements (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Body fat levels are associated with national ranking in competitive female surfers. The number of waves ridden in a heat, the length of the rides and activity levels were significantly related to heat placement and competition progression. Keywords: Body composition; sports; somatotypes; athletic performance/physiology; Muscle, skeletal; body size; body mass index; GPS; wave conditions; competition

Lower cardiorespiratory fitness contributes to increased insulin resistance and fasting glycaemia in middle-aged South Asian compared with European men living in the UK

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to determine the extent to which increased insulin resistance and fasting glycaemia in South Asian men, compared with white European men, living in the UK, was due to lower cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal oxygen uptake [[Formula: see text]]) and physical activity. METHODS: One hundred South Asian and 100 age- and BMI-matched European men without diagnosed diabetes, aged 40–70 years, had fasted blood taken for measurement of glucose concentration, HOMA-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA(IR)), plus other risk factors, and underwent assessment of physical activity (using accelerometry), [Formula: see text], body size and composition, and demographic and other lifestyle factors. For 13 South Asian and one European man, HbA(1c) levels were >6.5% (>48 mmol/mol), indicating potential undiagnosed diabetes; these men were excluded from the analyses. Linear regression models were used to determine the extent to which body size and composition, fitness and physical activity variables explained differences in HOMA(IR) and fasting glucose between South Asian and European men. RESULTS: HOMA(IR) and fasting glucose were 67% (p < 0.001) and 3% (p < 0.018) higher, respectively, in South Asians than Europeans. Lower [Formula: see text], lower physical activity and greater total adiposity in South Asians individually explained 68% (95% CI 45%, 91%), 29% (11%, 46%) and 52% (30%, 80%), respectively, and together explained 83% (50%, 119%) (all p < 0.001) of the ethnic difference in HOMA(IR). Lower [Formula: see text] and greater total adiposity, respectively, explained 61% (9%, 111%) and 39% (9%, 76%) (combined effect 63% [8%, 115%]; all p < 0.05) of the ethnic difference in fasting glucose. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Lower cardiorespiratory fitness is a key factor associated with the excess insulin resistance and fasting glycaemia in middle-aged South Asian, compared with European, men living in the UK. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00125-013-2969-y) contains peer-reviewed but unedited supplementary material, which is available to authorised users