Participation In Different Sports Research Articles

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS, BODY MASS INDEX, MUSCULAR ENDURANCE, HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY AND CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE OF OLDER ADOLESCENTS IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PROVINCE, PAKISTAN

Abstract: Insufficient physical activity and Sedentary lifestyle is making youth susceptible to several chronic diseases globally and in Pakistan. This research assessed the association between levels of physical activity and health related fitness status of school and college students from different regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 
 Data was collected from 390 students at secondary schools and colleges. International Self-report measure was used to measure physical activity levels and health related fitness tests (BMI, Harvard step test, push up test and sit and reach test) were used for evaluation of body mass, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic data. Group differences and associations were analysed using MANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients and linear regression. Only 3.84% participants were engaging in vigorous intensity physical activity and all the participants had poor/ below average cardiorespiratory endurance (56.6 ± 4%). Moderate intensity activity was significantly correlated with cardiorespiratory endurance, whereas participation in different sports had significant association with flexibility.
 The adolescents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did not meet the minimum requirements for physical activity levels and had poor cardiorespiratory endurance. Thus, a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous exercise/ structured physical activity every day should be emphasized in schools and colleges to reduce risk of chronic diseases.

Ice and Snow Sports Education Based on 5G Cloud Computing to Improve the Social Adaptability of Southern University Students

With the rapid development of the internet, the 5G cloud computing environment is gradually replacing the traditional computing environment. The social adaptation level of college students in this environment is an important indicator of whether college students can effectively integrate into the society. This article aims to study the design and reform of ice and snow sports education in the 5G cloud computing environment to enhance the social adaptability of college students. On this basis, in order to improve the social adaptability of southern university students, research on ice and snow sports education is proposed. This paper uses the literature method to study the characteristics of ice and snow sports education and the training model of social adaptability, constructs an experimental study on improving the social adaptability of southern college students, analyzes the overall impact of college students’ participation in ice and snow sports education on social adaptability, and compares the situation with college students’ participation in different sports to improve social adaptability. The social adaptability of college students from the lower grades to the upper grades is gradually enhanced, and the social adaptability score of boys is 35.8, the score of girls’ social adaptability is 33.7, and the scores of boys are higher than those of girls.

Acute Musculoskeletal Sports Injuries in School Age Children in Britain

ObjectivesTo determine the relative number of acute musculoskeletal injuries sustained by children due to different sports in a region of the UK, and assess the burden upon the NHS, through a cross sectional study. MethodsCollection of data for every child aged 6-18 seen at the Peterborough City Hospital fracture clinic, whose sports injury was from 1st September 2018 – 31st August 2019 (1 school year; n=689). Data was gathered throughout the year by three children's orthopaedic surgeons, who consulted the clinic records, notes and x-rays of all children who had attended clinic. ResultsBoys were 2.7 times more likely to sustain injury than girls. Children aged 6-9 had few injuries (mean 24 injuries each year group), 10-15 had a large number of injuries (mean 84), and 16-18 again had few injuries (mean 35). Football and rugby were responsible for the majority of injuries (61% between them), as well as the majority of physiotherapy appointments (72%). Sports with the highest likelihood that an injury will be sufficiently serious to require surgery were equestrian (42% of injuries required surgery), gymnastics (27%), ice skating (25%) and rugby (22%). Popular sports in which injuries were relatively rare include swimming, athletics, cricket, hockey, tennis and badminton. ConclusionThe sports that caused the most injuries were football and rugby. Considering relative participation in different sports, it is clear that rugby has a disproportionate number of musculoskeletal injuries in total, of severe injuries requiring surgery, and requiring rehab from physiotherapy.

Racial disparities in parent knowledge of concussion and recognition of signs and symptoms

Introduction: Concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can be sustained through participation in different sports. It is important that a parent be able to identify common and uncommon symptoms of a concussion to ensure the safety and good health of their child. The purpose of this study was to compare knowledge of concussion scores among White and African American parents and guardians. Methodology: This cross-sectional study consisted of a single survey of 53 questions that was given to parents/guardians of high school athletes at a preseason parent meeting. Parent and guardian knowledge of concussion was assessed through a series of 45 questions. Participants were asked to correctly identify signs and symptoms of concussion, answer questions regarding the anatomy of a concussion (i.e. a concussion is an injury to the brain), answer true/false questions about general concussion knowledge, select from a list the consequences of multiple concussions and select from a list the consequences of returning to play too soon from a concussion. Knowledge of concussion was calculated by summing correct responses for the 45 knowledge questions. Racial differences were calculated using an ANCOVA, controlling for socioeconomic school type. The statistical significance level was set a priori p ≤ 0.05 for all analyses. Results: Participants of this study consisted of 176 [115 (65.3%) White, 61 (34.7%) African American] parents/guardians of high school athletes. Significant differences in knowledge of concussion scores between White parents/guardians [38.50 ± 4.55 (85.6% correct)], and African American parents/guardians [35.15 ± 4.97, 78.1% correct)] were identified (F(1,172) = 4.82, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Knowledge of concussion disparities exist between African American and White parents/guardians. This disparity could cause complications from concussion to surface among children and adolescents participating in sport as their parents/guardians may not be able to correctly identify the signs and symptoms in order to seek proper medical care. Practical Application: Findings from this study highlight quantitative differences in concussion knowledge of parents from different demographics. These findings underline disparities and inequities in access to concussion-health resources that need to be addressed.

Determinants of Women Under-Representation in Sports at the University-The Case of Kenyan Universities

Under-representation of women in socio-economic activity in Kenya continues to raise eye brows. At University sports, while the world stage seems to have resolved this issue; in Kenya it still seems to be a major problem. The purpose of this study was to look at the determinants of under-representation of women in sports at Kenyan Universities. Sports departments in Kenya suggest that they offer the same opportunities for men and woman to participate in sports. So what are the factors that affect the disparity found in participation of women in sports at the university? This paper was an attempt to look at those factors that affect women participation in sports. The study used a descriptive survey research design. The study targets all 55 Universities in Kenya which had approximately 10,000 students involved in sports. Out of this, 300 students were purposively selected for this study. A questionnaire was used to seek for information from these students. The results indicate that there was a significant difference between males and female participation in different sports at the university. This was attributed to a number of factors. These factors included motivation, state of personnel that work in sports departments, facilities, and equipment.

The Influence of Participation in Different Sports on Physical Health Perception among Inmates of Ilesa Prison in Osun State, Nigeria

Poor physical health condition is common among prison inmates due to movement limitation during confinement. The negative effects of custody on health can be reduced to a minimum with the principle that time spent in custody can be used to include participation in organised physical activities to promote physical health of inmates while in confinement. The study is aimed at determining the relationship between sport participation and physical health of inmates in Ilesa Prison in Osun State of Nigeria. The study employed experimental pretest – posttest control research design. This study was carried out over a 10 week period at the Ilesa prison in Osun State, Nigerian. 140 inmates were selected for the study. The respondents were grouped into four sports- athletics (sprints and relays), badminton, table-tennis and volleyball. The physical health domain of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) was adapted and used to determine the inmates’ perception of their physical health. The data collected on reported physical health condition of inmates against the different categories of sport participation (athletics, badminton, table-tennis and volley-ball) of the respondents were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Multiple regression analysis, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficients and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine whether differences observed on the physical health perceptions by inmates and sports participation are significant. The study revealed a moderate correlation between participation in athletics and physical health (r=0.685); participation in Table Tennis and physical health (r=.697) and participation in volleyball and physical health (r=.504). It is therefore, concluded that participation in different sports can definitely influence the perception of physical health among inmates of Ilesa prison in Osun State of Nigeria.

Comparative Effect of Participation in Different Sports on Quality of Life Perception by Inmates of Ilesa Prison in Osun State of Nigeria

Lack of empirical evidence on the influence of sports in the promotion of inmates’ quality of life and their rehabilitation is posing serious challenge to effective use of sports in correctional programmes. This study focused on the effects of different sports on the QOL among inmates in Ilesa Prison in Osun State of Nigeria. The study employed experimental pretest – posttest control research design. This study was carried out over a 10 week period at the Ilesa prison in Osun State, Nigerian. 140 inmates were selected for the study. The respondents were grouped into four sports- athletics, badminton, table-tennis and volleyball. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) was adapted and used to determine the QOL of inmates across different sport groups. The data collected on reported quality of life condition of inmates against the different categories of sport participation (athletics, badminton, table-tennis and volley-ball) were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Multiple regression analysis and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine whether differences observed on the QOL perception of inmates and participation in different sports are significant. The findings showed that there is a relationship between participation in different sports and quality of life. The result of ANOVA showed that the calculated F-ratio of 12.865 for inmates perception of their quality of life after participation in different sports was significant at p=0.000 when tested at 0.05 level of significance. The results of multiple regression showed that quality of life of the prisoners’ increases as they participated in volley ball (β = 0.908), badminton (β = 1.321), Table Tennis (β = 1.521) and athletics (β = 7.401). It was concluded that participation in different sport presents similar and positive effect on the quality of life perception among inmates of Ilesa prison in Nigeria.

Association between adolescent sport activities and lumbar disk degeneration among young adults.

The relationship between different sport activities and lumbar intervertebral disk degeneration (DD) is largely unknown. We evaluated whether adolescent participation in different sports is associated with lumbar DD in a population-based birth cohort of young adults. A total of 558 young adults (325 females and 233 males) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 1.5-T scanner). A DD sum score, based on the Pfirrmann grading, was calculated for all lumbar levels. The sum score was categorized into no DD, 1, 2, or at least 3. Participation in different sport activities was self-reported by postal surveys at 16, 18, and 19years, and three groups were formed based on participation frequency in 11 sports: (a) highly active (at least twice a week), (b) moderately active (2-4 times a month), and (c) inactive (maximum once a month). Cumulative odds ratios (COR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained for each sport by ordinal logistic regression, adjusting for gender, body mass index, age, socioeconomic status, smoking, and other sports. Highly active participation in jogging/running and swimming was associated with a higher DD sum score (COR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4-6.3 and 5.0; 1.7-15.2, respectively) compared to inactive participation, whereas highly active participation in skating showed low COR. In conclusion, running and swimming at least twice a week in early adulthood are potentially associated with lumbar DD. Follow-up studies with MRI are needed to show whether frequent exposure to running or swimming has further effect on the integrity of lumbar intervertebral disks.

The angle-torque-relationship of the subtalar pronators and supinators in male athletes: A comparative study of soccer and handball players.

It is currently unclear how participation in different sports affects the angle-specific subtalar pronator and supinator muscle strength and pronator-to-supinator strength ratio (PSR). Based on the hypothesis that both differences sport-related patterns of play and foot-ground interaction may lead to sport-specific muscle adaptations, this study compared the angle specific pronator and supinator strength capacity of handball and soccer players. Eighteen healthy male handball and 19 soccer players performed maximum isometric voluntary isometric contractions using a custom-made testing apparatus. Peak pronator (PPT) and supinator torques (PST), pronator and supinator strength curves (normalised to the peak torque across all joint angles) and PSR were measured in five anatomical joint angles across the active subtalar range of motion (ROM). All analysed parameters were dependent on the subtalar joint angle. The ANOVA revealed significant `joint angle' × `group' interactions on PPT, pronator strength curves and PSR. No group differences were found for active subtalar ROM. In previously uninjured handball and soccer athletes, there were intrinsic differences in angle-specific subtalar pronator muscle strength. The lower PSR, which was found in the most supinated angle, can be seen as a risk factor for sustaining an ankle sprain.

Understanding the importance of sport infrastructure for participation in different sports – findings from multi-level modeling

Previous research has shown that participation in different sports can be predicted using a socioeconomic model. However, the importance of sport infrastructure for sport participation in different sports has been mostly ignored. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of various types of sport facilities on participation in different sports. Using multi-level analyses, an assortment of sport participation surveys with an overall sample size of n=9302, combined with data concerning the municipalities' sport infrastructure are used to test for the effect of infrastructure on sport participation. The results imply that different sports are impacted by different indicators, and that substitution effects could occur. The findings suggest, for example, that municipalities that are aware of the limited supply of swimming pools should promote sport participation in running, through emphasizing the sport opportunities available in parks.

Determinants of sport participation in different sports

Previous research has shown that the demographic–economic model consisting of variables such as age, gender, nationality, income, and time can generally be used to explain sport participation. However, this model has not yet been tested for participation in different sports. The purpose of this paper is to test the applicability of the model for different sports and to depict profiles for sport participants in different sports in Germany. Based on data from different sport participation surveys with an overall sample size of n = 26,263, the determinants for practising different sports are tested using regression analyses. The findings suggest that different sports have diverse determinants. For example, the typical tennis player tends to be male, well-educated, and a native of the country. The results indicate that the demographic–economic model is appropriate in predicting sport participation in different sports.

The Big Drum

There is some debate around structure and agency in Bourdieu’s concept of habitus. On reading Bourdieu’s work it can be understood why a great deal of empirical research suggests class reproduction in the context of participation in different sports. An examination of the changing nature of Scottish mountaineering, during the period from 1920 to 1960, however, gives an almost unique insight into how a class-based sporting habitus can be changed by the dialectical exchange of dispositions that can occur when the dominance of a class fraction is challenged by another.

Chronic Kidney Disease, Exercise, and Sports in Children, Adolescents, and Adults

Individuals with chronic kidney disease have poor exercise tolerance and are easily fatigued compared with their healthy peers. The primary reasons for poor exercise tolerance include anemia, effects of chronic uremia and metabolic acidosis on the heart and skeletal muscles, and lower levels of physical activity. Studies suggest that regular and early implementation of both aerobic and resistance exercise programs in persons with chronic kidney disease have positive effects on muscle function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life. Before starting any exercise program, a medical assessment and exercise testing are generally recommended. No consensus exists regarding allowing young athletes with a solitary kidney who want to participate in contact or collision sports. Decisions to allow participation in different sports and leisure activities should be made on an individual basis, considering multiple factors. This article reviews factors that affect exercise tolerance in persons with chronic kidney disease, the effects of exercise, and exercise recommendations.

Musculoskeletal Pains in Relation to Different Sport and Exercise Activities in Youth

We examined the associations between participation in different sports and exercise activities and neck, shoulder, and low back pains in adolescents. This population-based study included the members of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986, who, at the age of 15 to 16 yr, completed a questionnaire including items about their musculoskeletal pains and participation in various sport and exercise activities (N = 6945). Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate how musculoskeletal pains are associated a) with participation in a certain type of sport or exercise activity and b) with the clusters formed by latent class analysis (LCA) according to the adolescents' profiles of participation in different sport and exercise activities. Participation in certain sports showed some direct and inverse associations with musculoskeletal pains when adjusted for participation in other sports and for the amount of physical activity. However, after grouping the individuals into clusters by their participation in different sports, these associations vanished. Only the cluster characterized by boys' active participation in several sports (i.e., ice hockey, cycling, ice-skating, soccer, floorball, rinkball/bandy, swimming, roller-skating/skateboarding, Finnish baseball) had lower prevalence of neck pain compared with the physically inactive group. Physically active adolescents usually engage in several different sport and exercise activities, which make associations between single sports and musculoskeletal pains inconsequential in the general population of adolescents. Participation in several sports seemed to protect from harmful effects of a single risk sport. However, this finding cannot be generalized to adolescent elite athletes who are often involved in intense training for a single sport.

Significant Effect of Gender on Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Strength Ratio and Static Balance in Prepubescent Children from 7 to 12 Years of Age

Background A number of studies have reported lower muscular strength of the hamstring and the quadriceps and better postural control in female compared with male athletes. Whether those differences are innate and also exist in children and adolescents or are caused by training and participation in different sports is unknown. Hypothesis Gender differences in hamstring and quadriceps muscular strength and static balance exist even before maturity. Study Design Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 4. Methods A total of 368 children between 7 and 12 years of age participated in the study. They performed isokinetic concentric hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength measurements at 60 and 240 deg/s and a static balance test using the KAT 2000. Data analysis consisted of independent-samples t tests and multiple regression analysis. Results Gender had a significant effect on both the hamstring/quadriceps (HQ) ratios and static balance in children between 7 and 12 years of age. Except for the 7-year-old participants, boys showed significantly higher HQ ratios than the girls in every age group, indicating that the hamstring muscles in girls were relatively weak when compared with the quadriceps muscles. There was also a gender effect on the balance index with better balance in girls than boys. Conclusion There is a significant gender difference in HQ ratios and static balance in children between 8 and 12 years of age. Because many children start their handball careers before the age of 10 years, the present findings indicate that prevention programs including hamstring strength training should be prescribed at an earlier age than recommended in previously published studies.

Young people's participation in extracurricular physical education: A study of 15—16 year olds in North-West England and North-East Wales

This paper examines the levels and forms of participation in extracurricular physical education (PE) of a cohort of 1010 15—16 year olds attending seven state schools in north-west England and north-east Wales. The data reveal that extracurricular PE provision in all schools retained a particular focus on competitive team sports alongside a number of recreational partner sports and individualized activities. At the same time, the study confirmed previous findings that young people's reported levels and forms of participation in different sports and physical activities in extracurricular PE varied significantly and differentially according to gender and, to some extent, social class. To this configuration, however, needs to be added the particularity of the schools young people attend. Schools evidently influenced patterns of participation, particularly among 15—16-year-old girls. It seems likely that the medium through which higher rates of female participation are realized —particularly in lower working class areas — is the particular blend of sports and physical activities available in extracurricular provision. In other words, the kind of sports and physical activities a school provides appears to be a critical factor in understanding school-level differences in participation. In this regard, it seems that becoming a Specialist Sports College is prominent among a number of developments which may result in a diversification of extracurricular PE opportunities.

Young people's participation in National Curriculum Physical Education: A study of 15—16 year olds in North-West England and North-East Wales

Drawing on data from a broader study which investigated the place of spor t and physical activity in the lives of 15—16 year olds in England and Wales, this paper examines a relatively neglected dimension of research in physical education, namely, young people's par ticipation in spor t and physical activity through National Curriculum Physical Education (NCPE). The paper repor ts upon data generated by questionnaires completed by 1010 15—16 year olds who attended six secondar y schools in the Nor th-West of England and one secondar y school in the Nor th-East of Wales during 2003 and 2004. The study revealed strong inter-school variations in the mixes of spor ts that pupils experienced within NCPE. More specifically, the findings revealed that NCPE was largely dominated by competitive team-based spor ts that tend to be gender-stereotyped, alongside more individualized and less-competitive physical activities. It was also clear, however, that the repor ted levels and forms of participation in different spor ts and physical activities in NCPE during Years 10 and 11 varied significantly and differentially according to gender, social class, the school which young people attended, specialist spor ts college status and whether youngsters studied GCSE PE. The paper concludes by suggesting that inter-school variations are probably explainable in terms of a combination of traditions, facilities and the enthusiasms and perceptions of PE teachers.

Adolescent participation in sports and adult physical activity

Background Physical activity in adolescence has been reported to enhance physical activity in adulthood, but detailed information on the enhancing effect of different types of adolescent sports is lacking. We evaluated the association between participation in different types of adolescent sports and physical activity in adulthood. Methods The sample comprised 7794 males and females who responded to the mailed questions on physical activity status at age 14 years and at age 31 years in follow-up surveys of the Northern Finland 1966 birth cohort. The associations between adolescent participation in different sports and adult physical activity was examined by multinomial logistic regression. Results Frequent participation in sports after school hours in adolescence was associated with a high level of physical activity in adulthood. In males, adolescent participation in ball games, intensive endurance sports, track and field, and combat sports was associated with a high or very high level of adult activity. In females, the same applied to adolescent participation in running, orienteering, track and field, cycling, gymnastics, and riding. Adolescent participation in ball games increased participation in ball games in adulthood, especially in males, while participation in cross-country skiing, running, and orienteering provided the greatest stimulation to carry over of some endurance sport to adulthood. Conclusions Participation in sports at least once a week among females and twice a week among males was associated with high level of physical activity in later life. Adolescent participation in the intensive endurance sports, and some sports that require and encourage diversified sports skills, appeared to be most beneficial with respect to the enhancement of adult physical activity.

Individual factors, occupational loading, and physical exercise as predictors of sciatic pain.

In this prospective study, a cohort of 2077 workers free of sciatic pain and another cohort of 327 workers with severe sciatic pain were followed up for 1 year. To evaluate the effects of different risk factors on the incidence and persistence of sciatic pain. Sciatic pain seems to differ from other types of low back pain in terms of etiology, occurrence, and prognosis. Yet only a few studies of sciatic pain exist. The role of individual characteristics, occupational loading, and participation in different sports has rarely been assessed in a study with a prospective design among a working population. The subjects of this study, Finnish forest industry workers, replied to a modified version of the Nordic Questionnaire at the baseline of this study and after 1 year. The effects of the predictors on the 1-year incidence and persistence of sciatic pain were studied with multivariable logistic regression modeling. Greater age, mental stress, smoking of long duration, and work-related twisting of the trunk increased the risk of incidental sciatic pain. Joggers had a lower risk for incidental sciatic pain, but a higher risk for persistent symptoms. Walking was positively associated with the risk of incidental pain. Greater age, mental stress, former smoking, jogging, and poor job satisfaction increased the risk for persistent severe sciatic pain. The findings from this study suggest that mental stress and smoking are independent risk factors for incidental sciatic pain. Overall physical exercise and most of the sports activities, except jogging and walking, had no effect on sciatic pain. Physical workload factors seemed to be more involved in the onset of sciatic pain, whereas psychosocial factors were related to the persistence of symptoms.

Race, Cultural Capital, and the Educational Effects of Participation in Sports

The relationship between participation in sports and academic achievement is examined by exploring both the factors that predict participation in different sports and the influence that participation in specific sports has on academic achievement. While previous studies analyzed the effects of participation in sports on achievement, little research has explored whether students who have fewer academic resources are more likely to play sports. Using data from the National Educational Longitudinal Survey, this study considers whether cultural capital, household educational resources, family structure, and race are related to participation in football, basketball, or other sports and whether the effects of participation on several measures of academic achievement differ by race and sport. The findings suggest that cultural disadvantage contributes to an increased interest in and perhaps dependence on basketball and football as a means of social capital.