Sports Branches Research Articles

Evaluation of Oral and Dental Health Results and Competition Stress Levels of Adolescent Athletes in Different Winter Sports Branches.

The aim of the present study was to examine the findings of the intraoral examinations of the 12-16 years old novice (control) and elite athletes across the winter sports branches, which were alpine discipline skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, ski jumping, and ice hockey. Besides, the study aimed to determine the intra- and inter-group relationships by comparing the athletes salivary stress biomarker levels at precompetition, during-match, and post-competition stages. Ninety-one athletes (71 elite, 20 novice) participated in our study. Oral health status of the athletes were evaluated. In addition, cortisol levels in the saliva samples obtained at pre-competition (rested before the competition), during-match (just before the start), and post-competition (competition ending moment) stages were measured. The data were analyzed statistically with a significance level of 0.05. Ice hockey athletes were the most affected by untreated dental caries (27.3%). No signs of dental trauma caused by sports activities were found in the winter sports branches. Basic erosive wear examination scores of the ice hockey athletes were similar to the ski jumping athletes and lower than other groups (P=.034). The mean cortisol values between sports branches were listed as: biathlon <snowboarding > alpine skiing < ice hockey < ski jumping (P < .001). Test results of the winter sports athletes' saliva samples revealed that their salivary stress levels might vary in accordance with the sports branches, and there was a negative relationship between the levels of salivary stress biomarkers in competitions and oral health. In winter sports activities, measures for improving oral health should be disseminated.

The relationship between leg muscle strength and dynamic balance in skateboard players

Background: Skateboarding is a sport that utilizes a wheeled board as its equipment. As time progresses, skateboarding has evolved into one of the branches of professional sports, even having official competitions. It is popular among a wide range of young people and adults. Skateboarders must have good balance to stabilize their bodies and minimize the risk of falling and injury. It is maintaining balance while skateboarding requires strength in leg muscles, including flexors, extensors, dorsiflexors, plantar flexors, invertors, and evertors, with proper contraction ratios to stay balanced. The researchers aimed to investigate the relationship between leg muscle strength and dynamic balance in skateboard players. Skateboard players with greater leg muscle strength tend to maintain their balance better when performing tricks and maneuvers on the skateboard. Methods: The research was observational analytics with a cross-sectional approach. Purposive sampling was employed to select participants, resulting in a sample size of 51 skateboarders. Data collection involved measuring leg muscle strength and dynamic balance. Leg muscle strength was measured using a leg dynamometer, while dynamic balance was assessed using the y balance test. Results: The results showed a relationship between leg muscle strength and dynamic balance in skateboarders. Most samples exhibit muscular leg muscle strength, leading to a favorable dynamic balance. Conclusion: From the research findings, it can be concluded that there is a strong, significant, and inverse relationship between leg muscle strength and dynamic balance in skateboarders.

Analysis of the Use of Push Up Board Aids as an Alternative Exercise for Biceps and Triceps Brachii Muscles in the Kediri Regency Karate Sports Branch

In the sport of karate there are punching movements that center on muscle strength in athletes. To get the maximum blow, proper training is needed on the muscles, the imposition of muscles for this blow movement on the biceps and triceps brachii muscles. There are innovative tools that can be used for alternative training for karateka athletes, namely the push up board tool that has been developed according to the needs of karate athletes. This research was conducted with the aim of knowing the attractiveness, safety and feasibility of push up board aids to help karate athletes train the biceps and triceps bracii muscles as an alternative to karate athletes' punch training. This research uses descriptive Quantitative research methods. The data collection technique used in this quantitative research is by direct observation and distributing questionnaires. The results obtained in this study are a percentage of 51.4% based on trials on respondents and declared “Worthy”.

Investigation of the effects of an 8-week cross-country skiing exercise program on various reaction time parameters, selective attention and academic achievement in adolescents

Exercise slows or helps reverse the shrinkage of key cognitive brain regions such as the hippocampus, which is important for information processing, learning, reasoning and planning. For this reason, it is thought that regular exercise of individuals, especially during adolescence, which is considered one of the most important processes of development, can increase their performance in areas where cognitive activities are at the forefront. Cross-country skiing, one of the leading branches of winter sports, has a much more complex structure, unlike the branches that are widely preferred today (football, basketball, volleyball, etc.) and is a branch where many motor skills are exhibited at the same time For this reason, the effect of cross-country skiing, which is defined as more complex and difficult in terms of biomotor than other branches, on cognitive activities is a matter of curiosity. Therefore, the aim of the research is; to examine the cognitive effects of cross-country skiing exercise. The study involved 54 (26 male, 28 female) adolescents who had no prior experience in any licensed sports. The average age of the participants was determined as 12.61 ± 1.32. The participants were divided in experimental and control groups. Reaction performances were determined using the ÇAĞIN Hand and Foot Reaction Tests, selective attention performances were evaluated using the Flanker Test and academic achievement was determined using the e-Okul system. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant group × time interactions for hand and foot simple, selective, discriminative reaction time, selective attention and academic achievement (p < 0.05) due to improved values at post-test for the experimental group but not for the control groups. No significant group × time interactions were observed for correct reaction rate for all reaction parameters (p > 0.05). The study concludes that the cross-country skiing exercise, which was applied to adolescents for eight weeks, had a positive impact on the parameters of reaction, selective attention and academic achievement. Therefore, parents are suggested to encourage their children to exercise and engage in sports practices like cross-country skiing to improve cognitive and academic performance during adolescence.

Analysis of sports policy in Papua in the formation of the Papuan contingent at the XX National Sports Week (PON)

Analyzing sports policy in Papua in the formation of the XX PON contingent is something that must be done because the achievements of Papua Province at the national level at the national sports week (PON) event, which is held every 4 years, will be increasingly competitive. This study aims to analyze sports policy in Papua in the formation of the Papua contingent at the XX national sports week (PON). Using qualitative methods with data collection techniques interviews, observation and documentation. With the policy analysis methodology used in problem solving: problem formulation, forecasting, recommendations, monitoring, and evaluation. The participants were the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Papua, the Papua Sports and Youth Office (DISORDA), the Papua Provincial Sports Branch Management, coaches and athletes totaling 22 people. The results of this analysis found that the policies taken by Papua Province in the formation of the XX PON contingent related to the recruitment of Papuan domiciled athletes, recruitment of athletes domiciled outside Papua (contract athletes) and training centers inside and outside Papua aim to determine the medal acquisition target, improve achievement and become a good host. The results of the study concluded that the province of Papua has a policy, namely the Papua Governor Regulation Number 29 of 2020 concerning the Description of Duties and Functions of the Papua Provincial Sports and Youth Office and in the stage of drafting a Special Regional Regulation (PERDASUS) of Sports and the use of athlete mutation regulations in the framework of PON contained in KONI Decree Number 56 of 2010 as an attitude of primordialism to achieve the successful achievement target of the host of the XX Papua PON. Through this research can provide positive input for the Papua provincial government to realize the Sports PERDASUS so that the selection of potential athletes in Papua is managed with a planned, systematic, measurable and sustainable sports coaching pattern. Keywords: Sports Policy, Papua Contingent, PON XX

Comparative Analysis of Angles in the Spinshot Throws Towards the Goal in Beach Handball

Beach handball game is a dynamic sport with high intensity, conducted on a sand court. The inclusion of this sports branch in the Youth Olympic Games program in 2018 held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, elevated the profile of this international sports branch and underscores an increased need for a multitude of performance factors in this sport. The research aim. The research aim was to conduct a comparative analysis of the spinshot technique between an advanced player and a beginner, aiming to gather useful information regarding a technical profile for spinning shots in beach handball and to guide training for enhanced efficiency in this throwing technique. Objectives. Objectives encompassed the analysis of video recordings of two players concerning the angles between body segments and between the body and the ground at various moments during the execution of the technique. Methods and means. For the analysis of throws, video recordings of the executions were performed on two subjects, both beach handball players – one being an advanced player, and the other a beginner. To measure the parameters to be analyzed, including angular characteristics of body segments at key moments during the execution of the spinning shot technique, and the execution times of the two players, Kinovea software v 0.9.5 was utilized. Additionally, trajectory analysis and execution time were examined. Results. In the video analysis of the movement, the force generated by the players is not visible, but it aids in understanding the action and the effects of internal forces (muscle action) and external forces (gravity and friction) on the moving players. The discrepancy between the advanced and beginner players in achieving a half (180⁰) spin in the technical procedure of the spinsshot lies in the flight phase. Execution times are close between the two players, but video analysis revealed differences in the quality of their executions regarding the correct implementation of the spinning shot. Conclusions. The analysis results highlight significant differences in joint amplitude between the two players during spinning shot executions, potentially caused by insufficient muscle group strength, reduced joint mobility, or incorrect mastery of the throwing technique. Keywords: beach handball, spinshot, angles movement, kinovea

The Relationship of Power Lemb Agility and Hip Joint Fitness to the Results of the Mawashi Geri Kick in the Sport Branch of Karate

Athletes often practice, not all of them have mastered the mawashi geri kick technique, the lack of effective leg power, agility and flexibility of the hip joint when the athlete performs the mawashi geri kick attack has an effect on the athlete's performance not being optimal. The aim of this research was to determine "the relationship between leg power, agility and hip joint flexibility on the results of mawashi geri kicks in the sport of karate". The research method uses quantitative descriptive methods with a correlational approach. The population in this study were Sukabumi City BKC athletes with a sampling technique using purposive sampling, so the research sample was 14 athletes who took part in the West Java BKC Provincial Championship. The results of the research show that: 1) there is a significant relationship between leg power and the results of the mawashi geri kick in the sport of karate, which is 53.80%. 2) there is a significant relationship between agility (X2) and the results of the mawashi geri kick in the sport of karate (Y) which is 55.40%. 3) there is a significant relationship between hip joint flexibility (X3) and the results of the mawashi geri kick in karate (Y) which is 55.60%. There are three independent variables, namely leg power, agility and hip joint flexibility, which together have a significant influence on the results of the mawashi geri kick in the sport of karate at the Bandung Karate Club (BKC) Sukabumi City, amounting to 74.50%.

A Qualitative Study on E-Sports Players’ Leadership Perceptions Regarding Their Team Coaches

Having emerged following the professionalization of digital gaming, e-sports has created its ecosystem and become a large-scale industry itself. Teams involved in this industry experience a social environment just like in other organizational structures. As e-sports is a relatively newer branch when compared to other sports branches, leadership in e-sports is not a commonly studied topic in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore leadership perceptions of e-sports players in a comprehensive way. A team coach is often considered the leader in e-sports. The study was designed according to the principles of phenomenology, which is a qualitative research method. The semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers was used as the data collection instrument. The interviews were conducted with a group of e-sports players who met the predetermined criteria for participation in the study. The data was analyzed by using the content analysis method. First, the codes were determined, and later, the categories, and finally, the themes were identified out of these categories. Accordingly, it was found that leadership in e-sports is perceived under five themes: physical characteristics, personality traits, professional qualifications, technical skills, and management skills. Finally, it can be concluded that leadership in e-sports is quite similar to leadership in other traditional sports in many ways. However, the study showed that it has unique characteristics that need studying within the framework of the digital age and technological advancements.

Development of A New Tool to Analyze Injury Risk: Turkish Get Up Injury Risk Tool

Injury risk analysis is critical to preventing injuries' physical and psychological impact. The purpose of this study was to develop a new tool to evaluate the risk of injury particular to the Turkish get up (TGU) exercise. According to expert opinions, the Turkish Get Up Injury Risk Tool (TUGIR) is a biomechanical assessment tool developed based on the Turkish Get Up (TGU) movement. It evaluates the alignment and quality of movement during the exercise to assess the risk of injury. The upper and lower quarter Y balance tests (YBTs) and Functional Movement Screening (FMS) were performed to determine construct validity. A total of thirty- three wrestlers performed all the tests. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency determined with Cronbach's alpha coefficients and inter-rater reliability determined with Kendall's coefficient of concordance. The injury risk cut-off value was calculated according to the Angoff method. The internal consistency of the TUGIR was found to be 0.77 and 0.76, respectively, quite reliable for the right and left sides. Kendall's concordance coefficient of the total score was determined to be 0.998 for both sides. The injury risk cut-off value was found to be %72 for the overall TUGIR score. A low to moderate association was observed between TUGIR and YBTs—FMS. The TUGIR is a novel, reliable, and valid tool for assessing injury risk in sports. This tool offers several advantages, including being an easy-to-use, low- cost, and comprehensive method that can reflect sports-specific biomechanical characteristics. This research could lead to the use of this tool to assess the risk of injury in other sports branches.

Analysis of Financial Performance of Public Sports Clubs in Türkiye via CRITIC-Based SAW Method

Sports activities have been performed as a spectacle since ancient times. With the start of the Olympics, sports competitions were organized for the entertainment of the masses in Ancient Greece and later in the Roman Empire. Since the end of the nineteenth century, clubs have been established in many sports branches, especially football, and they have had large fan bases. The establishment of different clubs by different socioeconomic, political and religious strata has also caused these clubs to be positioned in a different place than the purpose of sports. The financial aid of their supporters to these structures, which have the status of association, has enabled the formation of a local and global economy. Sports economy, which was previously non-profit, has turned into for-profit service companies in recent years, especially with the purchase of sports clubs by business people, and they have become public by incorporation. Although many sports clubs are joint stock companies in Türkiye, four of them are traded on Borsa İstanbul. In the study, the financial performance of sports clubs has been examined based on the data of these publicly traded companies. Within the scope of the study, the criteria used in the study have been weighted with the CRITIC method, and the performances of the alternatives have been evaluated with the SAW method. As a result, it has been determined that there is a relationship between working financial performance and sportive success.

Management Evaluation in the Achievement Development Program of Football Sport Branch at FC UNY Academy

This research aims to assess the management's evaluation of the FC UNY Academy football achievement development program using the Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) framework. Additionally, it seeks to determine if the ongoing achievement development program at the FC UNY Academy is being effectively managed. This qualitative research employs the CIPP evaluation model, with a purposive sampling technique to select three program administrators for study. Data collection involves interviews and documentation. The research findings indicate that the management evaluation of the FC UNY Academy achievement development program met adequate criteria across all aspects, signifying a moderate level of performance. However, the management's effectiveness in optimizing the program remains suboptimal. Specifically, the context aspect meets sufficient criteria, the input meets adequate criteria, the process meets good criteria, and the product meets adequate criteria. Key considerations are identified in the context, input, and product aspects. Recommendations for administrators include: Context aspect: Increase the number of administrators to enhance management performance. Input aspect: Enhance promotional activities and counselling during player recruitment to showcase player potential effectively. Process aspect: Optimize processes for better outcomes. Product aspect: Despite having tier 2 players, coaches should maximize player potential to achieve championship results in tournaments.

Commitment to Sport Changes Psychological Needs: A Study on Individuals Who Regularly Engage in Fitness

It is as important to be able to continue sport as it is to start sport. In some sports branches, not practicing sports may cause some psychological problems. For this reason, this study aims to explain what changes individuals who train 3 days a week for at least 12 months in bodybuilding centers feel when they disrupt their training program and to show the relationship between their psychological needs in sports and their commitment to sports. The sample group of the study, in which quantitative and qualitative research model was used, consisted of 249 people (66 female, 183 male) who participated in sports for body development. Personal information form, open-ended questionnaire, sport psychological needs scale and sport commitment scale were used for the research. Content analysis was used in the qualitative data analysis of the study. Linear regression and Pearson correlation analysis were used for quantitative data analysis. The results of the qualitative data study show that the participants have positive emotions when they exercise and negative emotions when they do not exercise. The examination of quantitative data revealed that there was a positive weak relationship between psychological needs and sport addiction of the research group. In the study, it was concluded that the participant group enjoyed life, felt more talented, and were happy when they practiced sports, while when they did not spend time on sports, they felt a lack of time in their lives and experienced a sense of dissatisfaction. Keywords: Fitness, Commitment to sport, psychological needs in sport, chronic exercise

Determination of the Institutional Image of the University According to the Opinions of Students Receiving Sports Education

This research was conducted to determine the institutional image of the university they study according to the opinions of the students receiving sports education and to determine whether the institutional image of the university they study differs according to demographic variables. The normality of the data obtained in the study was tested with Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests; since the data did not show normal as a result of the test, Mann-Whitney U Test was used for pairwise comparisons and Kruskal-Wallis Analysis of Variance was used for multiple comparisons. In cases where a significant difference was found as a result of Kruskal-Wallis Analysis of Variance in multiple comparisons, Mann-Whitney U Test was applied to determine between which groups this difference originated. In all statistical calculations, the basic significance level was accepted as 0.05. As a result of the research; it was determined that the perceptions of the students receiving sports education towards the image of the universities they study are high / positive. It was determined that students' perceptions of the corporate image of their universities in all dimensions (employees, management quality, social responsibility, working environment, product and service quality, communication activities) differed significantly according to gender, age and the department they studied. Again, it was determined that students' perceptions of their universities' corporate image dimensions of employees, management quality, social responsibility, product and service quality, communication activities differed significantly according to the class variable, and their perceptions of product and service quality and communication activities corporate image dimensions differed significantly according to the sport branch variable. It was determined that the perceptions of the students towards the corporate image dimension of the working environment of the universities they studied according to the class variable; the perceptions of the students towards the dimensions of employees, management quality, social responsibility, working environment corporate image did not differ significantly according to the sport branch variableKeywords: Education, Institutional image, Student, University

Investigation of Mental Training Status of University Students Interested in Individual and Team Sports

The aim of this study is to examine the mental training status of students who are interested in individual and team sports at Aksaray University Faculty of Sport Sciences in terms of different variables. In the research, 182 volunteer students studying in the departments of Physical Education and Sports, Coaching Education and Sports Management at Aksaray University Faculty of Sport Sciences were included. Data collection tools in the study; Personal Information Form, Mental Training Inventory in Sports (MTI) was used to determine the mental training status of the students. SPSS 26 package program was used to evaluate the data. According to the data obtained, it was concluded that the mental training levels of the students were high. There was a significant difference in the variables of sport branch and program of study, but no difference was found in the gender variable. As a result, it was seen that the mental training levels of the students studying at the Faculty of Sports Sciences were at a high level. The reason for this is that the Covid-19 period has just ended, and it is thought that the students' inability to train due to this situation may have affected their mental training status.

Evaluation of the Leisure Boredom Perception of Coaches from Different Sports Branches

The aim of this study is to evaluate the perceptions of leisure boredom of coaches working in different sports branches. The sample group of the study consists of 224 coaches, 173 men, and 51 women, actively working in different sports branches. In the study, in order to determine individuals' perceptions of leisure boredom, a method developed by Weissinger and Iso-Ahola, "Leisure Boredom Scale (LBS)," which was adapted to Turkish culture by Kara et al. (2014), was applied. When the internal consistency coefficients of the Leisure Boredom Scale were examined, it was determined that α = .721 for the boredom sub-dimension and α = 721 for the satisfaction sub-dimension. In order to compare the boredom perceptions of the participant group in terms of different variables, t-Test for Independent Samples and One-way ANOVA were applied. As a result of the analyses, no difference was detected in the coaches' perception of leisure boredom in terms of gender variable (p&gt;.05). No significant difference was detected as a result of the single-factor analysis of variance performed, according to the coaching branch variable of the participant group (p&gt;.05). However, when the results of the single-factor analysis of variance for the coaching experience variable were examined, it was seen that there was a significant difference in the "boredom" and "satisfaction" sub-dimensions according to the experience of the coaches (p

The Influence of Physical Exercises Carried Out in the Aquatic Environment on Physiological Parameters for 10 – 12 Year Tennis Players

The objective of this study is to highlight the effect of physical exercises specific to the game of tennis, carried out in the aquatic environment to optimize the effort capacity of the players practicing this sport on the physiological parameters of the players in this sport. The impact of such an intervention program in the aquatic environment is a multilateral one, having benefits on optimizing performance capacity, maintaining an optimal state of health and opening new horizons for children practicing the game of tennis. A novelty element of this experimental research is represented by the implementation in the training program of tennis players in the aquatic environment and exercises from other sports branches such as swimming, gymnastics and athletics. The intervention program is a bold attempt to weave and combine exercises from different sports, in a non-specific and totally different environment, in order to improve performances and results, looking at the perspective, without necessarily aiming at great current performances, in the short term, which could bring disappointments, create certain barriers or even lead to the abandonment of sports activities. Keywords: tennis, performance, aerobic capabilities, unconventional training

Investigation of balance performance of wrestling and kickboxing athletes

Background and Aim. Balance performance is one of the significant requirements to achieve success in wrestling and kickboxing. Although the evaluation of balance performance is important in both sports branches, there are a limited number of studies on this subject. Additionally, there is no study comparing the two branches in terms of balance performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the balance performances of wrestling and kickboxing athletes. Material and Methods. Thirteen Greco-Roman wrestlers (age: 20.69 ± 1.32 years, height: 176.0 ± 4.30 cm, body mass: 75.54 ± 6.81 kg) and thirteen kickboxers (age: 20.23 ± 2.49 years, height: 177. 62 ± 5.03 cm, body mass: 77.08 ± 8.44 kg) who participated in national competitions were included in the study voluntarily. The Biodex Balance System (BBS, Biodex Medical Systems Inc., Shirley, NY) was used to test dynamic balance and three index scores were recorded: overall stability index (OSI), anterior-posterior stability index (APSI) and medio-lateral stability index (MLSI). Dynamic balance measurements of the participants were conducted with eyes open condition. An independent sample t-test was used to compare the outputs of the dynamic balance tests of wrestlers and kickboxers. All statistical analyses were conducted using the SPSS software package, version 24.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results. The comparison of dynamic balance between kickboxers and wrestlers revealed no significant differences in the OSI, APSI, and MLSI parameters (p &gt; 0.05). These findings suggest that despite the inherent differences in technical requirements and training protocols between kickboxing and wrestling, both groups of athletes demonstrate similar levels of proficiency in maintaining dynamic balance. Such parity challenges potential assumptions regarding disparities in balance performance across these disciplines. Conclusions. The balance performances of wrestling and kickboxing athletes are similar, as evidenced by the lack of significant differences in dynamic balance parameters between the two groups. This suggests that balance performance may be influenced by the specific features of each sport and the training levels of the athletes, rather than inherent differences between the sports themselves.

The relationship between passion and athlete identity in sport: the mediating and moderating role of dedication

BackgroundIn addition to the fact that the concept of passion in sports plays a significant role in the formation of the identity concept of athletes, the dedication of athletes to the sports branches they are interested in also has a significant impact on their passion for the sport they are interested in as well as their identity as an athlete. In this direction, the research aims to investigate the role of dedication as a mediator and moderator in the relationship between athlete identity and passion in sport.MethodsThe research was designed using the quantitative research technique of relational surveying. As data collection instruments for the research, the athlete identity scale, the passion in sport scale, and the sports commitment scale were utilized. 237 amateur and professional athletes, of which 142 were male and 95 were female (Mage = 22.7), participated voluntarily in the study by random sampling. The data were analyzed with the PROCESS and Jamovi programs in order to examine the direct and indirect effects.ResultsSignificant effects of sports passion on commitment and athlete identity were found. Since both dedication and athlete identity had a significant effect on passion for sports, it was determined that passion for sports continues to influence athlete identity through the medium of dedication. The moderator significance of medium, high, and low values of devotion was determined.Ethics approval number226394, date of registration: 03/11/2022.ConclusionOn the basis of the results of the statistical analyses, it was determined that the concept of dedication has a mediating and moderating effect on the relationship between sports passion and athlete identity.

Survey of Facilities and Infrastructure for Enhancing Physical Education and Sports Capabilities at SMA 3 Boyolali.

Survey on the Facilities and Infrastructure of Physical Education, Sports, and Health at SMA Negeri 3 Boyolali." An article from the Department of Physical Education, Tunas Pembangunan University, Surakarta. This research aims to explore the condition of sports facilities and infrastructure at SMA Negeri 3 Boyolali. It is a qualitative descriptive study with the entire research subject population being the facilities and infrastructure of sports at SMA Negeri 3 Boyolali. The results indicate that the average facilities and infrastructure supporting physical education at SMA Negeri 3 Boyolali are 55%, categorized as "moderate" and meeting the standards of the teaching and learning process according to Government Regulation Number 19 of 2005 regarding National Education Standards. The overall average percentage of facilities and infrastructure is obtained by summing the averages of each sports branch divided by the total number of sports branches. Regarding sports facilities, the equipment is considered good or adequate. Out of 8 facilities, 5 (100%) are categorized as very good, including futsal, volleyball, basketball, badminton, floor gymnastics, table tennis, long jump, and sepak takraw.

Evaluation of the 18-bp deletion/insertion variant of the VEGF gene in athletes

The skeletal muscle capillary supply mainly determines the highest exercise capacity. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the major growth factor during the angiogenesis process. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether the VEGF insertion/deletion (I/D) variant differs between athletes and sedentary controls in the Turkish population. Three hundred sixteen subjects, including 146 athletes from different branches and 170 sedentary people, voluntarily participated in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for the VEGF I/D variant. The results were evaluated statistically. In this study, the athletes and the controls showed a statistically significant difference in the genotype and allele distribution of the VEGF I/D variant. The athletes had a more prevalent D allele and D/D genotype than the controls (p = 0.008 and p = 0.034, respectively). There was a statistically significant association between the patients and the controls in terms of D/D vs. I/I + I/D genotypes (p = 0.018). There was no significant difference in VEGF I/D genotype distribution according to sports branches. Athletic performance is a complex trait influenced by genetic and environmental factors. As far as we know, this is the first study to evaluate the VEGF I/D variant in athletes in Turkey. According to our results in this study, we concluded that the VEGF I/D variant, D/D genotype, and D allele are associated with sport performance in the Turkish population. However, there is a need for studies with large samples in which environmental and emotional factors will also be taken into account.