Physical Performance Indicators Research Articles

A Benchmarking of Major Seaports of India

This research study uses annual time series data 1999-2017 on selected physical performance indicators vessel traffic, average pre-berthing waiting time, average turn round time (ATRT), percentage of idle time at berth to time at working berth (PIBTW) and average output per ship berth day (AOPBD) of major ports in India. These selected physical performance indicators analysed by the method of principal component factor analysis which had given equal weights to the indicators thereby ranked the ports based on the overall score. Result found that JNPT port occupies the first position with a total score of 966 awarded rank 1, followed by Ennore port second rank with a score of 789 and Kandla port occupying with rank three with a total score of 712, Kolkata, Haldia and Tuticorin ports showed poor performance and are ranked 13, 12 and 11th positions respectively.

Kinetic analyses as a tool to examine physiological exercise responses in a large sample of patients with COPD.

Kinetic features such as oxygen uptake (V̇o2) mean response time (MRT), and gains of V̇o2, carbon dioxide output (V̇co2), and minute ventilation (V̇e) can describe physiological exercise responses during a constant work rate test of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to establish simple guidelines that can identify COPD patients for whom kinetic analyses are (un)likely to be reliable and examined whether slow V̇o2 responses and gains of V̇o2, V̇co2, and V̇e are associated with ventilatory, cardiovascular, and/or physical impairments. Kinetic features were examined for 265 COPD patients [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1): 54 ± 19%predicted] who performed a constant work rate test (duration > 180 s) with breath-by-breath measurements of V̇o2, V̇co2, and V̇e. Negative/positive predictive values were used to define cutoff values of relevant clinical variables below/above which kinetic analyses are (un)likely to be reliable. Kinetic feature values were unreliable for 21% (= 56/265) of the patients and for 79% (= 19/24) of the patients with a peak work rate (WRpeak)< 45 W. Kinetic feature values were considered reliable for 94% (= 133/142) of the patients with an FEV1 > 1.3 L. For patients exhibiting reliable kinetic feature values, V̇o2 MRT was associated with ventilatory (e.g., FEV1 %predicted: P < 0.001; r = -0.35) and physical (e.g., V̇o2peak %predicted: P = 0.009; r = -0.18) impairments. Gains were mainly associated with cardiac function and ventilatory constraints, representing both response efficiency and limitation. Kinetic analyses are likely to be unreliable for patients with a WRpeak < 45 W. Whereas gains enrich analyses of physiological exercise responses, V̇o2 MRT shows potential to serve as a motivation-independent, physiological indicator of physical performance.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A constant work rate test that is standardly performed during a prerehabilitation assessment is unable to provide reliable kinetic feature values for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with a peak work rate below 45 W. For patients suffering from less severe impairments, kinetic analyses are a powerful tool to examine physiological exercise responses. Especially oxygen uptake mean response time can serve as a motivation-independent, physiological indicator of physical performance in patients with COPD.

Changes in Physical Performance of Amateur Mountain Bikers in the Preparatory Period

Abstract Introduction. The aim of the research was to assess the changes in the main physical performance indicators, i.e. maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), the threshold of anaerobic changes (AT) and “exercise efficiency” (oxygen consumption/power; VO2/ WR) in amateur mountain bikers in the preparatory period. In addition, diagnostic usefulness was made of selected respiratory, circulatory and metabolic parameters to assess the training progress in cycling. Materials and methods. Thirty-six men training in amateur mountain biking took part in the research. Each of them underwent three ergospirometry tests at the beginning, in the middle (after 7 weeks) and at the end of the preparatory period (after 14 weeks). The results obtained at the AT threshold and at maximum effort were analysed to check how physical training in the preparatory period affected selected exercise parameters. Results. No significant changes in the VO2max value were observed during the preparatory period, but a significant increase in this indicator (in absolute terms and in terms of body weight) was found at the AT level. An increase was noted in power as well as in measured metabolic, ventilation and circulatory parameters with the exception of heart rate and ventilation equivalent oxygen. VO2/WR decreased, which indicates an improvement in the effectiveness of the effort. Conclusions. For Polish amateur cyclists with extensive training experience, the most diagnostic indicators in the preparatory period include improving the AT threshold (shift towards higher % VO2max and higher generated power) and increasing exercise efficiency.

Nurse effects on measurement error in household biosocial surveys

BackgroundBiosocial survey data are in high demand, yet little is known about the measurement quality of health measures collected by nurses in respondents’ homes. Our objective was to analyze the degree to which nurses influence measurement in anthropometric and physical performance indicators collected from respondents in two nationally-representative UK biosocial surveys.MethodsThe English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing and the UK Household Longitudinal Study – Understanding Society were used to analyze fourteen anthropometric and physical performance measures covering weight, height, pulse, grip strength, and lung capacity. Cross-classified multilevel models were used to estimate “nurse effects” on measurement error.ResultsOverall, there is a medium effect of nurses on measurement. Across all measures collected in both studies, nurses explain around 13% of all measurement variation. Variation in specific measures range between approximately 2 and 25%. Grip strength and lung capacity are more heavily influenced by nurses than are height, weight, and pulse. Lastly, nurse characteristics explain only a very small proportion of nurse measurement variation.ConclusionObjective health measures collected by nurses in household biosocial surveys are susceptible to non-trivial amounts of measurement variation. Nurse ID numbers should be regularly included in biosocial data releases to allow researchers to account for this unnecessary source of variation. Further, researchers are advised to conduct sensitivity analyses using control variables that account for nurse variation to confirm whether their substantive findings are influenced by nurse measurement effects.

Implementation of the experimental methodology of preventive physical education in higher education institutions

In this paper the content of the experimental method of preventive physical education, which was directed to solving the problems of primary prevention of diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems of students, is disclosed; the content of the concept of "preventive physical education" is specified; the efficiency of complex use of preventive physical education in improving and preventive work with students by fixing during the experiment the average morbidity, lung capacity (LC), adaptive potential (AP) according to the method of RM. Baevsky and physical performance index (Ruffier test, IR).

83 A Deficit Accumulation Frailty Index Predicts Mortality in Older South Africans: Findings from the HAALSI Study

Abstract Introduction Few studies have investigated frailty in older people in sub-Saharan Africa, yet such information is vital to prepare responses to rapid population ageing. We aimed to derive and test a cumulative deficit frailty index in a population of older people from rural South Africa. Methods We analysed data from the Health and Ageing in Africa: Longitudinal Studies of an INDEPTH Community (HAALSI) study, which enrolled participants aged 40 years and older nested within the Agincourt Health and Demographic Survey Site, South Africa. We created a 32-variable cumulative deficit frailty index using questionnaire (illnesses, symptoms and activities of daily living), physical performance and physiological indices, and blood test results. Each variable was dichotomised to 1 (deficit) or 0 (no deficit). The frailty index for each individual was calculated as the mean of all frailty variables. Frailty categories were defined using cut-offs from the UK electronic frailty index: 0-0.12 (non-frail), &amp;gt;0.12-0.24 (mild frailty), &amp;gt;0.24-0.36 (moderate frailty) and &amp;gt;0.36 (severe frailty). Cox proportional hazards models, both unadjusted and adjusted for age and sex, were fitted to test the association between frailty status and all-cause mortality. Results We analysed data from 3989 participants, mean age 61 years (SD 13); 2175 (54.5%) were female. The mean follow-up period was 17 months; 1464 (36.7%) were non-frail, 2059 (51.6%) had mild frailty, 402 (10.1%) had moderate frailty and 64 (1.6%) had severe frailty. A total of 135 (3.4%) died. Adjusted Cox models showed worse frailty category was associated with higher risk of death compared with non-frail individuals: hazard ratios 1.94 (95% CI 1.23, 3.07) for mild frailty, 3.25 (95% CI 1.86, 5.68) for moderate frailty, and 5.50 (95% CI 2.44, 12.40) for severe frailty. Conclusions Frailty measured by a cumulative deficits index is common and predicts mortality in a rural population of older South Africans.

Influence of Contextual Variables on Physical and Technical Performance in Male Amateur Basketball: A Case Study.

Currently, most basketball research is focused on professional and elite players. Studies at the amateur level are important to explain the physical and technical demands of competition and thus improve players’ and teams’ performance. The purpose of the present study was to describe the competitive demands of an amateur-level basketball team and to analyze the influence of different situational variables on the physical and technical performance indicators. Eleven amateur senior basketball players participated in six official final-round games during the 2018/2019 season. External, internal load, and notational analysis were registered by inertial devices, heart rate bands, and video analysis. The Kruskal-Wallis H-test was applied for comparisons based on playing positions, periods, and final quarter game outcome, with the post hoc comparison accomplished by a Mann-Whitney U test. The Spearman correlation coefficient was realized for the relational analysis. The results showed that: (a) guards covered more volume of displacements (effective on-court time: p < 0.01, = 0.05; steps/min: p < 0.01, = 0.28) and the centers performed competitive actions of higher load ([>8G] Imp/min: p < 0.01, = 0.20; jumps/min: p < 0.01, = 0.33); (b) a performance decreasing was found between the first and second half of the game; (c) in balanced matches there was the most individual technical performance (PIR/min: p < 0.98, = 0.01), while in the unbalanced games more high-intensity impacts were seen ([>8G] Imp/min: p < 0.01, = 0.07). The situational variables analyzed had an influence on athletic performance in amateur senior basketball players and should be considered for designing training sessions and planning strategies during official matches.

Education of endurance in children of middle school age in lessons of physical culture

The influence of a set of exercises on the development of endurance of secondary school students is revealed in the article. One of the factors that adversely affects the health of school-age children is the low mobility of life. Therefore, physical education occupies a special place in the system of physical education of school-age children. Physical fitness testing is an element of stage control both in the sports training system and in the practice of physical education. However, the ability of children of different ages to exercise some physical activity is limited by the adaptive potential of the growing organism's systems, and as practice shows, the reserve capacity of the student body is significantly reduced, which negatively affects the physical qualities of children, and especially endurance. Endurance is considered one of the basic motor abilities of the person. The endurance index with great precision indicates the overall health of the person and the functionality of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Analyzing the indicators of the level of endurance development in the studied contingent of children it is established that the level of endurance development of students of 4-5 grades, is equal to the mark of 3 points, which corresponds to the "average level". The study shows changes in the level of endurance development in students engaged in the recommended complexes and the relationship of endurance types with indicators of overall physical performance. The results of the correlation analysis showed the presence of a high correlation of static endurance with dynamic endurance (r = 0,883). Also, a high statistical relationship is observed in the study of the relationship of dynamic strength endurance and speed-endurance (r = 0,858). Preparing a physically healthy and in all respects advanced generation is an important task of our society. Properly organized physical education and sports, which should be included in the daily life of young people from an early age, occupy the first place in this task.

Seasonal variation in vitamin D status, bone health and athletic performance in competitive university student athletes: a longitudinal study.

Vitamin D deficiency has been commonly reported in elite athletes, but the vitamin D status of UK university athletes in different training environments remains unknown. The present study aimed to determine any seasonal changes in vitamin D status among indoor and outdoor athletes, and whether there was any relationship between vitamin D status and indices of physical performance and bone health. A group of forty-seven university athletes (indoor n 22, outdoor n 25) were tested during autumn and spring for serum vitamin D status, bone health and physical performance parameters. Blood samples were analysed for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) status. Peak isometric knee extensor torque using an isokinetic dynamometer and jump height was assessed using an Optojump. Aerobic capacity was estimated using the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans measured radial bone mineral density. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate parametric/non-parametric testing depending on the normality of the data. s-25(OH)D significantly fell between autumn (52·8 (sd 22·0) nmol/l) and spring (31·0 (sd 16·5) nmol/l; P < 0·001). In spring, 34% of participants were considered to be vitamin D deficient (<25 nmol/l) according to the revised 2016 UK guidelines. These data suggest that UK university athletes are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Thus, further research is warranted to investigate the concomitant effects of low vitamin D status on health and performance outcomes in university athletes residing at northern latitudes.

ЗВ’ЯЗОК ФІЗИЧНОЇ ПРАЦЕЗДАТНОСТІ ТА БІОЕНЕРГЕТИЧНИХ МЕХАНІЗМІВ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ІГРОВОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ ФУТБОЛІСТІВ

Introduction. All the parameters of physical performance are important for achieving high results in footbal. A very small number of works are devoted to the study of bioenergy support of the game activity of different roles football players. High sports results can be achieved by athletes in football who have a high level of physical performance. Purpose . The purpose of our research was to find out the peculiarities of bioenergy provision of physical performance under the condition of football players' game activity. Methods. The experiment involved 29 highly qualified professional footballers. The results of the physical performance were received by the device GPS-sport system “Catapult”, pulsometer “Polar”, bicycle ergometer “Monarkh” and using an Meta Max 3B gas analyzer “Cortex” recorded oxygen consumption . Results. T he connection between physical performance and bioenergetic characteristics of anaerobic and aerobic support has been established for skilled footballers. The correlation between the length of the distance during the game and the indicators W of the ergometric test at the level of PANO was r = 0.43 (p <0.032), and for VO2max, r = 0.41 (p <0.027) and with HR - r = 0.37 (p <0.047). The results of this research demonstrated that the aerobic mechanism is the dominant energy system (76%) in providing special physical performance under the condition of football players' game activity. The smallest contribution to the physical performance of football players during the game was made by anaerobic lactate and lactate energy supply mechanisms, respectively - 5.6% and 1.6%. Conclusion . The characteristics of HR, VO2max, W and indicators of physical performance in different modes of energy supply during the game are informative criteria for assessing the functional state of the athlete, fitness, physical and functional fitness of players and can be used to control the training process and forecast game activity of football players.

Exercise Training and Fasting: Current Insights.

Fasting is defined as the abstinence from consuming food and/or beverages for different periods of time. Both traditional and modern healthcare systems recommend fasting as a therapeutic intervention for the management of several chronic, non-infectious diseases. Exercising during a fasting state increases lipolysis in adipose tissue while also stimulating peripheral fat oxidation, resulting in increased fat utilization and weight loss. A key focus of this review is to assess whether endurance training performed while fasting induces specific training adaptations, where increased fat oxidation improves long-term endurance levels. Fasting decreases body weight, lean body and fat content in both trained and untrained individuals. Several studies indicate a broader impact of fasting on metabolism, with effects on protein and glucose metabolism in sedentary and untrained subjects. However, there are conflicting data regarding the effects of fasting on glucose metabolism in highly trained athletes. The effects of fasting on physical performance indicators also remain unclear, with some reporting a decreased performance, while others found no significant effects. Differences in experimental design, severity of calorie restriction, duration, and participant characteristics could, at least in part, explain such discordant findings. Our review of the literature suggests that there is little evidence to support the notion of endurance training and fasting-mediated increases in fat oxidation, and we recommend that endurance athletes should avoid high intensity training while fasting.

Technical analysis of water absorption rate of ceramic tiles

Water absorption is an important physical performance index to measure the quality of architectural ceramics products.The difference of water absorption test results between different laboratories is large, which cannot truly reflect the quality status of products, restricting the quality improvement of ceramic products and restricting the development of enterprises.This paper mainly analyzes the testing technology of water absorption of ceramic tile, and finds that the technical level of testing personnel, test water and vacuum system of equipment are the main factors affecting the results of water absorption test, and puts forward relevant Suggestions, which provides a strong basis for improving the testing technology of ceramic tile in the laboratory.

Sarcopenic obesity and its association with frailty and protein-energy wasting in hemodialysis patients: preliminary data from a single center in Japan

BackgroundThis study investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity and their association with frailty and protein-energy wasting (PEW) in hemodialysis patients.MethodsThe present study enrolled 117 adult hemodialysis patients (35% female, 64 ± 12 years old) from single units of a hemodialysis center. The patients were divided into four groups: normal, obese, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity. Sarcopenia was diagnosed by Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria, and obesity was defined as an extensive percent body fat mass greater than 40% in females and 30% in males. Skeletal muscle mass and percent fat mass were evaluated by multifrequency whole-body bioimpedance electrical analysis after a midweek dialysis session. Handgrip strength and a short physical performance battery (SPPB) were assessed before a dialysis session as indicators of muscle strength and physical performance. Moreover, participants completed the Kihon Checklist and the criteria proposed by the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism expert panel to classify frailty and PEW. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the clinical risk of frailty and PEW in patients with sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity.ResultsForty-six (39.3%) patients were classified as normal; 18 (15.4%), as obese; 35 (29.9%), as having sarcopenia; and 18 (15.4%), as having sarcopenic obesity. The sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity group had significantly lower handgrip strength than the normal or obesity group (all p < 0.05). In addition, the sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity groups had significantly lower SPPB scores than the normal group (p < 0.05, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, the sarcopenic obesity group had a significantly higher risk of frailty than the normal group in the multivariate analysis after adjusting for age and gender (OR 4.518, 95%CI 1.218–16.752, p = 0.024). However, sarcopenic obesity was not associated with a higher likelihood of PEW, and sarcopenia imposed a significantly higher risk of PEW (OR 4.272, 95%CI 1.157–15.778, p = 0.029) than that in the normal group after adjusting for confounding factors.ConclusionSarcopenic obesity was closely associated with frailty compared with the normal condition in HD patients. However, sarcopenic obesity was not associated with a higher likelihood of PEW.

Frailty and physical performance in the context of extreme poverty: a population-based study of older adults in rural Burkina Faso

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of frailty and about normal values for physical performance among older individuals in low-income countries, in particular those in sub-Saharan Africa. We describe the prevalence of phenotypic frailty, and values and correlates of several physical performance measures in a cohort of middle-aged and older people living in rural Burkina Faso, one of the world’s poorest communities. Methods: We analysed data collected from participants aged over 40 in Nouna district, Burkina Faso. We measured handgrip strength, four metre walk speed, chair rise time, and derived the Fried frailty score based on grip strength, gait speed, body mass index, self-reported exhaustion, and physical activity. Frailty and physical performance indicators were then correlated with health and sociodemographic variables including comorbid disease, marital status, age, sex, wealth and activity impairment. Results: Our sample included 2973 individuals (1503 women), mean age 54 years. 1207 (43%) were categorised as non-frail, 1324 (44%) as prefrail, 212 (7%) as frail, and 167 (6%) were unable to complete all five frailty score components. Lower grip strength, longer chair stand time, lower walk speed and prevalence of frailty rose with age. Frailty was more common in women than men (8% vs 6%, p=0.01) except in those aged 80 and over. Frailty was strongly associated with impairment of activities of daily living and with lower wealth, being widowed, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and self-reported diagnoses of tuberculosis or heart disease. With the exception of grip strength, which was higher in women than prior international normative values, women had greater deficits than men in physical performance. Conclusions: Phenotypic frailty and impaired physical performance were associated as expected with female sex, co-morbidities, increasing age and impaired activities of daily living. These results support the use of frailty measurements for classification of ageing related syndromes in this setting.

Effect of opposition quality and match location on the positional demands of the 4-2-3-1 formation in elite soccer

Background/ObjectiveThe present study examined the influence of match location, quality of opposition team, and playing position on physical performance indicators of the 4-2-3-1 formation. MethodsTwenty-six (n = 26) games (with 184 player-observations; n = 17 players, played full 90 min games) were recorded with a video system and the physical demands of the players were analyzed according to their specific playing position (classified into central and wide defenders, central and wide midfielders and forwards). Match performance variables analyzed included total distance (TD), high-intensity running (HIR), very-high-intensity running (VHIR) and sprinting (SPR). ResultsThere was a main effect of position for TD (F = 37.84, p < 0.001), HIR (F = 41.19, p < 0.001), VHIR (F = 27.89, p < 0.001) and SPR (F = 22.25, p < 0.001). Wide defenders covered the most SPR and -along with the central midfielders-the most VHIR. Central midfielders covered the most TD and HIR. Match location and opposition quality had interactive effects on TD (F = 12.96, p < 0.001), HIR (F = 8.33 p = 0.004) and VHIR (F = 8.17 p = 0.005). Competing against “weak” opponents, more TD, HIR and VHIR covered during home games compared to away games (p < 0.05). However, more TD was covered during away games against “strong” opponents compared to away games against “weak” opponents (p < 0.05). ConclusionsThe current study supports more intense-based drills (i.e. repeated sprint training) for wide defenders and more volume-based drills (i.e. long interval training) for central midfielders, whilst total weekly training load can be adjusted based on match location and quality of oppositions on the anticipated game-load.

Effects of Melatonin on the Body Composition, Physical Performance, and Blood Erythrocyte Indexes of C57Bl/6J Mice Exposed to Continuous Illumination.

Male C57Bl/6J mice were exposed to daily 24-h illumination over 14 days and daily intragastrically received melatonin (1 mg/kg) or water (placebo). Controls were kept under standard day/night (14/10 h) conditions. Melatonin prevented the development of anemia in mice exposed to continuous illumination, which was proven by higher blood hemoglobin levels by the end of the experiment in melatonin-treated animals in comparison with the placebo group. Studies by the low-field NMR spectrometry detected lower lean body mass, total body water, and especially, fat content (by ~13%) in animals receiving placebo. Melatonin treatment led to an increase in the lean body mass and total body water on day 7 (in comparison with the placebo group) without affecting fat mass. On day 14 of continuous illumination, lean body mass increased in comparison with the corresponding parameter in the control and placebo groups. Melatonin had no effect on the physical endurance of mice exposed to continuous illumination (assessed by the grid hanging test).

Frailty and physical performance in the context of extreme poverty: a population-based study of older adults in rural Burkina Faso.

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of frailty and about normal values for physical performance among older individuals in low-income countries, in particular those in sub-Saharan Africa. We describe the prevalence of phenotypic frailty, and values and correlates of several physical performance measures in a cohort of middle-aged and older people living in rural Burkina Faso, one of the world's poorest communities. Methods: We analysed data collected from participants aged over 40 in Nouna district, Burkina Faso. We measured handgrip strength, four metre walk speed, chair rise time, and derived the Fried frailty score based on grip strength, gait speed, body mass index, self-reported exhaustion, and physical activity. Frailty and physical performance indicators were then correlated with health and sociodemographic variables including comorbid disease, marital status, age, sex, wealth and activity impairment. Results: Our sample included 2973 individuals (1503 women), mean age 54 years. 1207 (43%) were categorised as non-frail, 1324 (44%) as prefrail, 212 (7%) as frail, and 167 (6%) were unable to complete all five frailty score components. Lower grip strength, longer chair stand time, lower walk speed and prevalence of frailty rose with age. Frailty was more common in women than men (8% vs 6%, p=0.01) except in those aged 80 and over. Frailty was strongly associated with impairment of activities of daily living and with lower wealth, being widowed, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and self-reported diagnoses of tuberculosis or heart disease. With the exception of grip strength, which was higher in women than prior international normative values, women had greater deficits than men in physical performance. Conclusions: Phenotypic frailty and impaired physical performance were associated as expected with female sex, co-morbidities, increasing age and impaired activities of daily living. These results support the use of frailty measurements for classification of ageing related syndromes in this setting.

Progression in Youth Soccer: Selection and Identification in Youth Soccer Players Aged 13-15 Years.

Bidaurrazaga-Letona, I, Lekue, JA, Amado, M, and Gil, SM. Progression in youth soccer: Selection and identification in youth soccer players aged 13-15 years. J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2548-2558, 2019-The aim of this study was to identify the factors that are important for the identification and selection of young soccer players. Ninety-four adolescent soccer players from the under-13 (U13; age = 12.3 ± 0.3 years; n = 50) and under-15 (U15; age = 14.0 ± 0.2 years; n = 44) categories belonging to a professional club participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements, physical tests (sprint, agility, endurance and jump), and maturity status (age at peak height velocity) were recorded over 4 seasons. Comparisons were performed among new players joining the club (Enter players, n = 15), players progressing to the next age category (Club players, n = 54), and players leaving the club (Deselected players, n = 25). A 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine if significant differences existed between groups and testing time. Better physical performance and improvements observed during the season in performance were found to be one of the main factors for U13 players to continue in the club (p < 0.05-0.001). In the U15 group, although body size, maturation and physical performance appeared to be the most important characteristics for being identified to play in the club (p < 0.05), Club players demonstrated better improvements during the season (p < 0.05). Overall, these results indicate that the identification or promotion of players by coaches depends on indicators which are age-dependent. Therefore, this study has shown that the talent identification program was more a selection process than a promotion process, selecting and identifying a posteriori rather than a priori.

Physical performance reflects cognitive function, fall risk, and quality of life in community-dwelling older people

This report searched for relationships between physical performance and other health indices through a detailed investigation of a randomly sampled cohort from a basic town resident registry. Residents between the age of 50 and 89 years were randomly sampled from the basic resident registry of a cooperating town for construction of a 415-participant cohort that minimized selection bias. Cognitive function measures, annual fall frequency, and SF-8 as an HRQOL measure were the outcomes of interest. The impact of physical function on outcomes was predicted using multivariate regression models with age and gender as covariates. Knee muscle strength, grip strength, one-leg standing time, and two-step test score had a significant impact on cognitive scores and SF-8 physical component summary scores. A shift of -1 standard deviation for grip strength, the stand-up test, and the two-step test increased fall risk by 39%, 23%, and 38%, respectively. In conclusion, diminished physical performance is related to serious problems in older individuals, specifically cognitive deterioration, increased fall risk, and inability to maintain HRQOL. These factors are independent of age and gender. Thus, the higher physical function can be maintained in older people, the better the other conditions appear to remain.

Timed up-and-go test is a useful predictor of fracture incidence.

The timed up-and-go (TUG) test is a validated screening tool to assess fall risk. This study evaluated the association between the TUG test and future fractures, which are a tangible clinical complication of falling. We included 1,070,320 participants who participated in the National Screening Program for Transitional Ages for Koreans aged 66 years old from 2009 to 2014. Among them, 355,753 women underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. TUG times were classified as <10 s or ≥10 s. The incidence of fractures, including vertebral, hip, and other sites, was determined using claims data from the National Health Information database. During the mean follow-up period of 4.4 ± 1.8 years, participants with slow TUG times had a significantly increased risk of fractures compared with those who had normal TUG times: any fractures (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-1.10), vertebral fracture (aHR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.11-1.16), hip fracture (aHR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.13-1.29), and other fractures (upper arm, forearm, and lower leg; aHR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.00-1.05). Among women with bone mineral density (BMD) results, slow TUG performance was associated with an increased risk of fracture independent of BMD. The TUG test, as an indicator of physical performance, can provide information about future fracture risk above that provided by BMD. Conducting the TUG test to assess fracture risk should be considered to improve fracture risk assessment and propose interventions to improve physical performance, thereby reducing fracture risk.