International Game Research Articles

Comparison of Running Characteristics and Heart Rate Response of International and National Female Rugby Sevens Players During Competitive Matches

This study compared the activity profile of national and international female rugby sevens players during competitive matches. Twenty rugby sevens female players were recruited, 10 were members of the Spanish National Team (26.27 ± 4.05 years, 65.39 ± 5.01 kg, 166.72 ± 6.70 cm) and 10 were amateur athletes from a Spanish rugby championship (32.12 ± 6.40 years, 66.48 ± 5.38 kg of body mass, 167.37 ± 3.02 cm). Data collection was conducted over 4 matches in each of the 2 tournaments, national and international. Distance, velocity, and heart rate (HR) were recorded using global positioning system devices for all participants throughout each match. There were significant differences (p < 0.01) in total distance (1642 ± 171 vs. 1363 ± 222 m), average speed (6.0 ± 0.3 vs. 5.2 ± 0.6 km·h-1), number of sprints (6.1 ± 3.1 vs. 1.9 ± 1.4 sprints), and distance covered in sprinting (118.8 ± 61.4 vs. 47.0 ± 38.8 m). Significant differences were found at >95% maximum HR (HRmax), both for the first (p < 0.01) and second half (p ≤ 0.05). The work-rest ratio was significantly different (p < 0.01) between international (1:0.3) and national players (1:0.4). Significant differences were found in accelerations above 2 m·s-2 in the first and second half between the 2 groups. These findings suggest that distance covered in a match and speed are considerably different between international and national rugby sevens players, and this is reflected as higher intensity of play with consequently higher HR. Coaches may use this information to design specific running drills for this athlete population to match the requirements of national or international game play.

Injuries in Elite Men's Lacrosse: An Observational Study During the 2010 World Championships.

Background:There are limited data on injuries sustained during men’s lacrosse. As the sport gains popularity, practitioners will be more likely to treat lacrosse players.Purpose:To analyze data from the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships.Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:This was a prospective observational study of injuries reported during the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships. An injury surveillance questionnaire was completed, and data were categorized into body part injured, diagnosis, mechanism, and time of injury.Results:Over 9 days, 667 players from 29 countries competed in 105 games. A total of 150 injuries were sustained by 129 individuals aged 16 to 46 years. Five times more injuries occurred during games than in training (69.3% [n = 104] vs 13.3% [n = 20]; rate ratio [95% CI] = 5.2 [4.9-5.5]), resulting in 39.5 injuries per 1000 hours played. The most frequent mechanism was contact (53.3%; n = 80), including direct impact with another player (30%; n = 45), with a stick (16.7%; n = 25), or with a ball (5.3%; n = 8). Change of direction and/or speed were the most common noncontact mechanisms (27.3%; n = 41). The most frequently reported injuries were contusions (32.0%; n = 48), sprains (22.7%; n = 34), and strains (22.7%; n = 34). The lower limb was the most injured body part (50.7%; n = 76) compared with the upper limb (23.3%; n = 35; rate ratio [95% CI] = 2.2 [2.1-2.3]). The ankle was the most injured joint (14.0%; n = 21), followed by the shoulder (10.0%; n = 15).Conclusion:As participation expands, health professionals may become more responsible for treating lacrosse players. Players are susceptible to a range of injuries. Familiarity with the common injury patterns could help treatment and prevention. Despite differences in rules during international competition, this study corroborates reports from North America.Clinical Relevance:The epidemiology of men’s lacrosse injuries needs to be documented and understood to effectively prevent injuries. The 2014 World Championships are to be held in Denver, Colorado (July 10-19, 2014), and it is important that practitioners treating players are aware of the differences in the international game. Publication of these data will allow for those planning lacrosse tournaments to do so more effectively.

Game Analysis of Virtual Water Trade under the Perspective of International Trade

As the global water resource is becoming more and more serious,a new way of solving the water resources problems with the idea of virtual water trade gains attention gradually.Using the prisoner’s dilemma in game theory model,analyzes the water resource game and international trade respectively.Combines the water resource and its security with the international trade,then build the game model of virtual water trade.Through analysis of these three games,find the water resources and the international trade game have equilibrium differences and complementarities returns,the implementation of virtual water trade will make both parties achieve even greater gains in terms of cooperation, increasing the possibility of breaking the prisoner's dilemma. Therefore,combine the water resources with the international trade will ensure a country’s water security in a larger extent and avoid producing high transfer cost and ecological destruction.

Effects of age, maturity and body dimensions on match running performance in highly trained under-15 soccer players

The aim of the present study was to compare, in 36 highly trained under-15 soccer players, the respective effects of age, maturity and body dimensions on match running performance. Maximal sprinting (MSS) and aerobic speeds were estimated. Match running performance was analysed with GPS (GPSport, 1 Hz) during 19 international friendly games (n = 115 player-files). Total distance and distance covered >16 km h–1 (D > 16 km h−1) were collected. Players advanced in age and/or maturation, or having larger body dimensions presented greater locomotor (Cohen’s d for MSS: 0.5–1.0, likely to almost certain) and match running performances (D > 16 km h−1: 0.2–0.5, possibly to likely) than their younger, less mature and/or smaller teammates. These age-, maturation- and body size-related differences were of larger magnitude for field test measures versus match running performance. Compared with age and body size (unclear to likely), maturation (likely to almost certainly for all match variables) had the greatest impact on match running performance. The magnitude of the relationships between age, maturation and body dimensions and match running performance were position-dependent. Within a single age-group in the present player sample, maturation had a substantial impact on match running performance, especially in attacking players. Coaches may need to consider players’ maturity status when assessing their on-field playing performance.

Proverbial wisdom – a “serious” international business game

Purpose – This paper aims to describe a proverb game where the themes of work and money introduce participants to world perspectives on handling social transactions and establishing “fair play” between people. Design/methodology/approach – Students are involved in a “serious game” where they work in international groups to piece together parts of a linguistic puzzle drawing on the language competencies of the group. They exchange viewpoints about “fair play”. This experiential learning opportunity introduces an ethics and cross-cultural framework into the curriculum. Findings – The game has been used to “break the ice” at the start of international business programs and allow exchange students greater opportunity to become involved in problem solving activities. Practical implications – In three versions, the authors have tested over three academic years, the proverb game has allowed the participants to reach the objectives: become involved with international classmates, co-produce cultural knowledge with peers (an alternative to a teacher-driven seminar on culture), develop awareness of cultural self, study world values through proverbs, and examine the importance of rule-based behavior and fair play. Originality/value – To the authors' knowledge, there are no “language” games suitable for the international business classroom whose purpose is actually ethical.

A Blind Eye to Industry-Level Corruption? The Risk of Favouring Domestic Industries in the EU ETS

We investigate the risk of favouring domestic industries in the current European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS). As the EU forms a weak federal structure compared to the US, there is a risk that single countries may free ride on the others by choosing to take a blind eye to industry-level corruption when tempted to favour their own industries. In other words, the optimal level of national cheating may not take into account the external cost it imposes upon other countries and the risk of wide-scale cheating and the possibility of an EU ETS collapse. Such national incentives to cheat correspond to a well-known transnational externality problem from international environmental problems and multiplayer prisoners' dilemma games. Thus, there is a strong need for systematic empirical analysis of whether cheating actually occurs in the EU ETS as predicted by theory.

Precision of Shooting (6.75m) in University Women's Basketball

Basketball is a game with a broad impact among male and female students in Romania. Therefore, particular attention should be paid to its development in order to achieve high performance in both national and international academic competitions. The use of appropriate exercises for precision development in shooting from a distance of 6.75 m as part of the university teams’ training program may lead to higher efficiency and shorter execution times. Given the volume, intensity and complexity of effort in domestic and international official games, we were compelled to identify more efficient training methods for female students in order to improve team results.

Fair Ranking in Competitive Bidding Procurement: A Case Analysis

Fair and transparent procurement procedures are a cornerstone of a well functioning free-market economy. In particular, bidding is a mechanism whereby companies compete for contracts; when functioning well, the process rewards both the quality of the proposal, and the “reasonableness” of the quote. This way, both the company and the public win. The bidding process requires a fair and transparent ranking procedure. Once the parameters of the competition are established, the company issuing the bid is required by law to abide by those parameters. Not surprisingly, opposing interests may try to “game the system.” The more complex the service, the harder it is to rank competing bids. Complex services require complex ranking, which in turn makes undue influence more difficult to uncover. In this paper we analyze the case of two companies, Reilly Security and Contemporary Security, bidding for the contract of providing security during the Pan American games ([1]) in Toronto 2015: The Pan Am Games are the world's third largest international multi-sport Games; they are only surpassed in size and scope by the Olympic Summer Games and the Asian Games. We argue that the ranking procedures did not reflect the quality of the bids, resulting in one of the companies submitting a substantially more expensive bid, and still winning the competition. The reader may gain information on this contentious matter by reading a number of newspaper articles: [2–5]. Article [5] mentions the results presented in this paper. The author consulted for Executek International on this matter.

Instructional Techniques and Delivery Formats in Capstone Business Courses

As business schools increase the range of instructional techniques and delivery formats it is important to harmonize the learning objectives for business capstone experiences, a critical aspect of management education. This concept paper proposes an examination of the literature and practices relating to business school capstone experiences. After an overview of relevant research along with past and current practices, capstone course projects and assignments are discussed including case studies, international competitive simulation games, consultancy projects, and traditional lectures on strategic management. Concepts for balanced integration and synthesis of topics are proposed for different instructional methods and delivery formats. Using pedagogical content knowledge as a basis for improving teaching and learning is necessary to achieving balanced integration. It is our contention that all schools carefully examine their capstone courses in light of pedagogical content knowledge, instructional techniq...

The effect of ′Ballistic Six′ plyometric training on performance of medium pace Asian Indian cricket bowlers

Introduction: Cricket is one of the world's major team sports in terms of regular international games. Bowling action is a highly skilled activity acquired over years of fine tuning. The presence of an imbalance between the agonist and antagonist groups is one of the major risk factors for developing shoulder injuries in bowlers. Upper extremities account 25% and 22% of injuries in schoolboys and provisional cricket bowlers, respectively. Ballistic six plyometric training prevented shoulder injuries due to overhead throwing and improve its velocity in baseball pitcher. Purpose of study: The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of 8 weeks Ballistic six plyometric training on bowling velocity in medium pace cricket bowlers. National level medium pace cricket bowlers were given 8 weeks Ballistic Six plyometric training program. Average of 3 bowling velocities was taken using Bushnell (50 Hz) Doppler Radar Gun pre- and post-training program and compared. Results: The increase in bowling velocities following the 8 weeks training protocol was statistically significant (P < 0.05) when compared to the pre-training velocities. Conclusion: It is concluded that Ballistic Six plyometric training increases the bowling velocity in medium pace cricket bowlers hence improves their performance.

Three Degrees of “G”s: How an Airbag Deployment Sensor Transformed Video Games, Exercise, and Dance

Three Degrees of “G”s: How an Airbag Deployment Sensor Transformed Video Games, Exercise, and Dance

Factors Associated With Singers' Perceptions of Choral Singing Well-Being

Choral singing is a popular vocational pastime across cultures. The potential health benefits associated with choral singing, including positive effect on well-being, are a topic of interest in health research. However, anecdotal reports from voice professionals suggest that the unique demands of choral singing may enforce unhealthy singing habits. This study explores suboptimal vocal behaviors that are sometimes associated with choral singing, which include singing outside comfortable pitch range, singing too loudly, and singing too softly for blend. The relationships between suboptimal choral singing habits, vocal warm-ups (WUs), vocal fatigue, and singing-related well-being were assessed via a 14-item Likert-based response format questionnaire. Participants consisted of 196 attendees of the international World Choir Games. The final study group consisted of 53 male and 143 female international amateur singers aged 10-70. Results indicated a positive correlation between vocal fatigue and suboptimal singing behaviors (r = 0.34, P < 0.0001). Participants who did not engage in suboptimal singing behavior experienced increased singing-related well-being (r = -0.32, P < 0.0001, N = 141). Vocal WUs were not related to vocal fatigue or singing well-being. Substantially, more participants from this demographic preferred choir over solo singing (X²[1, N = 196] = 22.93, P < 0.0001). Suboptimal choral singing behaviors may result in vocal fatigue and reduction of choral singing well-being and should therefore be considered when examining the effect of choral singing on singing-related well-being and health. Future research will compare the amateurs' perceptions of choral singing with perceptions from professional singers and will look at determinants of choral singing well-being.

Time-Motion Analysis, Heart Rate, and Physiological Characteristics of International Canoe Polo Athletes

To evaluate the time international canoe polo players spend performing various game activities, measure heart rate (HR) responses during games, and describe the physiological profile of elite players. Eight national canoe polo players were videotaped and wore HR monitors during 3 games at a World Championship and underwent fitness testing. The mean age, height, and weight were 25 ± 1 years, 1.82 ± 0.04 m, and 81.9 ± 10.9 kg, respectively. Time-motion analysis of 3 games indicated that the players spent 29 ± 3% of the game slow and moderate forward paddling, 28 ± 5% contesting, 27 ± 5% resting and gliding, 7 ± 1% turning, 5 ± 1% backward paddling, 2 ± 1% sprinting, and 2 ± 1% dribbling. Sixty-nine (±20)% of the game time was played at an HR intensity above the HR that corresponded to the ventilatory threshold (VT) that was determined during the peak V[Combining Dot Above]O2 test. Peak oxygen uptake and VT were 3.3 ± 0.3 and 2.2 ± 0.3 L·min, respectively, on a modified Monark arm crank ergometer. Arm crank peak 5-second anaerobic power was 379 W. The majority of the time spent during international canoe polo games involved slow-to-moderate forward paddling, contesting for the ball, and resting and gliding. Canoe polo games are played at a high intensity indicated by the HR responses, and the physiological characteristics suggest that these athletes had high levels of upper body aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels.

A new approach to quantifying physical demand in rugby union

The objective of the study was to describe an original approach to assessing individual workload during international rugby union competitions. The difference between positional groups and between the two halves was explored. Sixty-seven files from 30 French international rugby union players were assessed on a computerised player-tracking system (Amisco Pro®, Sport Universal Process, Nice, France) during five international games. Each player’s action was split up into exercise and recovery periods according to his individual velocity threshold. Exercise-to-recovery (E:R) period ratios and acceleration were calculated. Results indicated that about 65% of exercise periods lasted less than 4 s; half of the E:Rs were less than 1:4, and about one-third ranged between 1 and 1:4 and about 40% of exercise periods were classified as medium intensity. Most acceleration values were less than 3 m·s−2 and started from standing or walking activity. Back row players showed the highest mean acceleration values over the game (P < 0.05). No significant decrease in physical performance was seen between the first and second halves of the games except for back rows, who showed a significant decrease in mean acceleration (P < 0.05). The analysis of results emphasised the specific activity of back rows and tended to suggest that the players’ combinations of action and recovery times were optimal for preventing large decrease in the physical performance.

Definitely maybe: continuity and change in the Rugby World Cup

The 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in New Zealand provides an opportune moment to look back and consider the development of the tournament alongside the globalization of the sport in the period since 1987. Shaped around an analysis of the North/South balance of power in the game, this paper offers an appraisal of where the sport now sits and considers some of the challenges ahead. Although the events of the 2011 RWC show how many things have changed since the inaugural event of 1987, it is also clear that some things remain the same. This paper considers the positioning of the sport as an international game and reflects on the status of its flagship event.

Seceding but not Succeeding: African International Relations and Somaliland’s lacking international recognition

Abstract Somaliland, the northern region of Somalia, declared independence in 1991 and has for the past two decades functioned as an independent political entity with important state-like structures. However, notwithstanding its relatively high accomplishment (especially as compared to Somalia) in state-building, it remains without any international political recognition. This article attempts to expose the politics behind Somaliland’s (non) recognition by analysing key African players and their roles in Somaliland’s international recognition game. The main arguments made are that some continental African states and Somaliland’s neighbours seem to be content keeping the status quo, and Somaliland’s international recognition is not a pressing issue for anyone but Somaliland. The fact that no African country seems to be ready to be the first to recognize Somaliland (while many are happy to be the second) may yet prove the most considerable obstacle for Somaliland’s recognition in the foreseeable future.

대구 도시공원의 변천에 나타난 사회적 의미 해석

This study was done for analyzing processes on the planning and opening of chronological urban parks in Daegu City since the 1960s, and for interpreting the social meaning on changes of the urban parks with regards to historical circumstances during that period. In the 1960s, urban parks, which were recognized as one of urban planning facilities, were only designated for creating rather than created, although nationally several laws including urban planning act and park act were newly legislated. Rapid urbanization and increasing population in the 1970s led to create many urban parks. However, the policy for increasing parks had been not successful because of the lack of enough funds. In the 1980s, multi-purpose urban parks including stable area as well as active facilities were created for getting several attractions to urban residents. During this period, urban parks were recognized on an aesthetic perspective through vegetating plans on the city-beautiful movement for hosting consecutive international games. The citizen participation in urban parks and the increasing concern about urban environment were started in the 1990s, and the people living in an urban area were interested in the quantitative expansion and qualified renovation of the urban parks as well. Finally, modernistic urban parks were first introduced in the late period of Chosun Dynasty, however their substantial introduction was done in the 1960s. Through this study, the concept of an urban park as a public resting place for citizen in Daegu was thought to be mostly established in the 1990s as we have investigated on the social meaning derived from the periodical changes of urban parks.

Evaluating the (Your Country Here) Olympic Medal Count

An Olympic Games is a measurable test of a nation´s sporting power. Medal counts are the object of intense scrutiny after every Olympiad. Most countries celebrate any medal with national glee, since 60% of competing countries will win none. In 2012, 10% of the competing countries won 75% of all medals. Despite this concentration among a few countries, more countries are winning more medals now than 20 years ago, thanks in part to athlete-support and -development programs arising around the globe. Small strong sporting countries like Norway are typified by fairly large variation in medal results from Olympiad to Olympiad and a high concentration of results in a few sports. These are important factors to consider when evaluating national performance and interpreting the medal count. Medal conversion, podium placements relative to top 8 placements, may provide a measure of the competitiveness of athlete-support programs in this international zero sum game where the cost of winning Olympic gold keeps rising whether measured in dollars or human capital.

A comparative experimental study of the thermal properties of cricket helmets

Extensive research into heat transfer properties of protective helmets using thermal manikin heads or other headforms has been conducted to date. However, most studies have focused on bicycle, motorcycle and industrial helmets, while literature on cricket helmets remains lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the thermal properties of selected, commercially available cricket helmets, which are widely used in recreational and international cricket games. Comprehensive experiments were conducted in controlled laboratory conditions. The effects of wind were not considered as the wind speed was maintained at <0.8 ± 0.1 ms−1. The average temperature at eight selected locations beneath the helmet shell and liner were continuously measured using k-type thermocouples. Five commercially available cricket helmets were used in this study. The research identified high temperature increments at the frontal and parietal regions of the tested helmets, which indicates that these regions have poor heat dissipation due to lack of ventilation outlets in existing designs. Two forms of heat transfer were investigated: convection and radiation. The total heat transfer from the headform to the surrounding environment decreased by 13–17% when wearing a cricket helmet. Based on the experimental results, several design strategies and features are recommended in order to improve the air ventilation in critical regions of the helmet. Relevance to industryProtective helmets currently used in cricket offer sufficient protection to players against impact. Thermal discomfort is one of the cricket players' main complaints when wearing protective helmets. This article identifies the main hot spots in cricket helmets and presents design strategies for improving heat dissipation and thermal comfort. Some design attributes of industrial helmets of relevance to thermal comfort are discussed in this context.

Football, nationalism and globalisation: A comparison of English and Italian football between 1930 and 2010

This paper compares the relationship of football and globalisation in England and Italy between 1930 and 2010 along three dimensions. It explores the national origins of players, managers (coaches) and owners in both countries over the longue durée of high modernity. The paper demonstrates that football became an international game within a wider global context almost immediately after its codification in England in 1863. However, it was also strongly affected by nationalistic templates. There was a powerful assumption that clubs, players, supporters, managers and owners would exemplify specific national characteristics. This affected the development of football in both countries from the 1930s to the 1970s. In England, players and managers were predominantly English and almost exclusively British in this period. This pattern was reinforced by strict immigration rules developed around the time of World War I.A similar pattern was evident in Italy. Serie A players were overwhelmingly Italian between 1930 and the late 1980s. Indeed, between 1965 and 1980, non-Italians were completely banned from playing football in Italy despite the provisions for the free movement of labour in the Treaty of Rome (1957). The pattern for coaches in Serie A followed a significantly different trajectory. In the 1930s and the 1950s there was a large proportion of coaches in Serie A from outside Italy, particularly from neighbouring countries such as Hungary, Austria and Yugoslavia. This reflected the much less nationalistic policy for the recruitment of Serie A coaches during this period.