Annals of Applied Sport Science
Volume:6 Issue: 1, Spring 2018

There is sparse literature examining the ICB phase of aerobic- and anaerobic-trained athletes. Measurements of ICB phase values of athletes can help to evaluate the sport’s physiological demands and understand the physiological adaptations in response to physical training.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the isocapnic buffering (ICB) phase and the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) as well as the ventilatory threshold (VT) in trained athletes.

Twenty-eight male endurance athletes and 40 male team sports athletes underwent an incremental treadmill test to determine their VT, respiratory compensation point (RCP), and VO2max. The ICB phase was calculated as the difference in Oxygen uptake (VO2) between the RCP and VT and expressed in either absolute or relative values.

The VO2max, maximal running speed, time to exhaustion, VO2 at the VT and RCP, running speed at the VT, and VT expressed as % VO2max was higher in the endurance athletes than in the team sport athletes (p < 0.01), whereas the RCP expressed as % VO2max and running speed at the RCP showed similar values in both groups (p > 0.05). Both the absolute and relative ICB phase values were found to be significantly higher in team sports athletes than in endurance athletes (p < 0.001). The relative ICB phase was significantly negatively correlated with the VO2max (– r = 0.517, p < 0.001), the VO2 at the VT (– r = 0.755, p < 0.001), and the VO2 at the RCP (r = – 0.517, p = 0.001).

The current findings suggest that, for trained athletes, the magnitude of the ICB phase is more closely related to the VT rather than the VO2max and RCP. Presumably, the high-intensity intermittent-type exercises performed by team sports athletes may have improved their buffering capacity, leading to a shift in the RCP without a change in the VT, and consequently enhancing the ICB phase.

It seems strenuous trainings have a suppressing effect on the immune function and athletes performing such trainings are probably prone to infectious diseases due to weakened immune system.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of six weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with and without zinc ‎supplementation on serum immunoglobulin concentrations in female futsal players.

Mthods:

 Thirty-two female futsal players were randomly divided into 4 groups like placebo, Zinc, HIIT+Placebo ‎and Zinc+HIIT. All athletes had to attend futsal-specific training 3 sessions per week. Zinc and Placebo groups took ‎30 mg ‎day−1 of zinc gluconate or dextrose, respectively, and HIIT groups performed 6-10 repetitions of a 30-second running at 100% of VO2peak with ‎4-minutes rest between the efforts during six weeks.

IgM levels decreased significantly in placebo group (from 136.25±34.44 to 119±33.53, p=0.003) and Zinc group (from 143.25±52.96 to 123.62±50.33, p=0.005). 6 weeks of HIIT did not change the levels of IgA, IgM and IgG significantly (p>0.05). HIIT along with Zinc augmented IgA value (from 179.75±54.49 to 211.12±89.22, p=0.049), significantly; It also increased IgM‎ and IgG levels which were not significant (p>0.05).

It can be concluded that 6 weeks of HIIT had no suppressing effect on the immune system in female futsal players; even HIIT along with Zinc supplementation improved the immune system via increasing IgA value.

Irisin is the result of the proteolysis of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5, the levels of which are determined by physical activity.

This study aims to identify changes in FNDC5 gene expression and the heart muscle irisin levels in male rats following 8 weeks resistance and endurance training.

Fifteen male rats (10-12 weeks old and 331.8±63.09 g in weight) were randomly assigned to three groups: control, resistance and endurance training groups (5 in each group). The endurance group performed activities on a treadmill for 8 weeks. The resistance group performed activities for 8 weeks on a one-meter-long ladder with a slope of 85○. The control group did not undergo any particular training. Sampling was carried out 72 h after the end of the training. The heart tissue were excised, cleaned and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at -70○C. FNDC5 gene expression and the heart muscle irisin levels were measured using Real-Time PCR and ELISA, respectively.

Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant increase in the heart muscle FNDC5 expression in both training groups (P=0.004). One-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in heart muscle irisin levels among the groups (p=0.004).

It can be concluded that both resistance and endurance training can significantly increase FNDC5 gene expression and the heart muscle irisin levels, suggesting that physical activity can prevent and cure cardiovascular diseases.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, inflammatory, and chronic disease which, under the effect of the wastes of myelin degradation occurs in the white matter of the brain, spinal cord, and visual nerves. The main complications of this disease are fatigue, muscle cramps, tremor, imbalance, and walking imbalance.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the spine orientation in people with multiple sclerosis.

The statistical population of this study included all patients with MS in Kerman province and the sample of this study includes 30 patients with mild MS (mean age of 33.83±8.72 years, mean height of 159.77±4.54 cm, mean weight of 63.1±11.16 kg) and 30 healthy subjects (mean age of 31.07±8.84 years, mean height of 162.58±6.61 cm, mean weight of 61.43±11.3 kg), targeted randomly selected as the subjects. First, the patients were examined by a neurologist and the EDSS of each subject was evaluated. Then their demographic data including age, height, and weight were collected. For evaluation of spinal abnormalities including torticollis and forward head, shooting method with the use of -Power shot A1200 HD Canon camera, with 0.73 validity was used; and kyphosis and lordosis abnormalities were measured using a flexible ruler, the validity of the device in comparison with the radiography technique was reported by Thylatson and Borton (1991) as 93%. In research, Hart & Rose (1986) and Lowell et al. (1989) stated the reliability of this device as 97% and 84%, respectively, and scoliometer was used for scoliosis abnormalities. The validity of this device was reported by Guillemhem et al. as 0.87.

The results showed that there was a significant relationship between forward head, torticollis, and lordosis abnormalities in patients with mild MS and healthy subjects (p˂0.05), while there is significant relationship between kyphosis and scoliosis (p˂0.05).

Regarding factors such as fatigue, muscle cramping, tremor, walking abnormalities in people with multiple sclerosis and observation of some spinal abnormalities in these individuals, the implementation of corrective exercises and programs to correct postures, in them, seems necessary.

Consider the fact that the implementation of aerobic exercise can be effective in the learning and acquisition process, and that training athletes to acquire new skills is appropriately done in terms of the primacy and recency of the training time for aerobic activities such as the warm-up.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity aerobic activity before training on the acquisition, consolidation memory, and coordination pattern of the elbow joint with regard to the short service in badminton.

Thirty-eight participants aged 17 to 19 years were selected by convenience sampling and purposive sampling. The participants were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (n =14 and n = 10) and a control group (n = 14) based on aerobic capacity. Before and after the badminton short service training, the participants ran for 20 minutes on a treadmill at a speed of about 70% of their maximum heart rate. At various stages of training, the precision of the shuttlecock landing spots was measured based on the French test at the time of acquisition, immediate retention, retention, and transfer in all three groups. Also, using motion analysis, the range of motion of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints was measured. Moreover, by using a PCA, the coordination pattern of the range of motion of the elbow joint was compared in all three groups.

There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the accuracy of the short service in badminton in the French test based on aerobic exercise before and after training (p<0.05).A significant difference was observed between all parts of the test and the transfer test (p>0.05). Also, there was no significant difference in the coordination pattern of the range of the elbow joints between the groups. Furthermore, the repeat of service has no significant effect on the motion pattern in any way.

According to the impact of moderate-intensity aerobic activity before and after training on the acquisition, consolidation of memory, and coordination pattern of the elbow joint, there was no significant difference in the accuracy of the short service in badminton.

Background: 

Despite the research being accomplished so far, there is no clear answer to the question that "Does sports help to prevent and reducing the abuse of drug, alcohol, and smoking in young people as it believed in public".

Objective (s): 

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between sports activity and experience of smoking, alcohol and drug abuse among a sample of male and female students in Tehran.

Methods: 

In a cross-sectional and correlation study, 1173 male and female students from two universities; University of Tehran and Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected to complete researcher-made questionnaires on smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, and also complete demographic questionnaires. They also responded to a sports activity questionnaire, including questions about the type and level of teamwork and activity.

Results:

The findings showed that males are relatively regular in sports activities than females and they are also members of sports teams. Smoking, alcohol and drug abuse were significantly higher in males than in females. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that there is no significant relationship between being athlete in males, whether they are members of the team or not, and the smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, but unorganized female athletes, outside the framework of sports teams, had reported more alcohol and drug abuse than inactive people during a year ago.

Conclusion:

 In order to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of programs for the prevention of drug abuse through sport, paying attention to gender differences, age differences and type of sports activity (organized in the form of teams or non-organized and individually) is critical. The findings of this study suggest that membership in sports teams of a college, especially for females should be expanded, and preventive programs should be designed through sport in a professional way –in terms of timing and content- for males and females.

Despite the research being accomplished so far, there is no clear answer to the question that "Do management skills have effect in the selection of management model by sports managers". Objective (s): The present study aims to investigate the effect of technical, human, perceptual, and political skills on the selection of managerial model by sports managers.

This is a descriptive-correlational study conducted using a survey method. The statistical population of the study comprised 405 managers of sport organizations, including managers of general directorate, sports departments, and other organs of Isfahan, of whom 199 individuals were selected with stratified random sampling as the statistical sample through Cochranchr('39')s sample size formula. The Bass Management Model (1996) and Management Skills of Nazari (2015) were used as the instruments and their face and content validity and reliability were confirmed (0.91, α = 0.89).

Based on the results of this research, among management skills, managerschr('39') perceptual skills can predict power and explain changes in management styles of managers and can explain 39% of the variance of the managerschr('39') management styles. Based on Friedmanchr('39')s test, prioritization of the dimensions of management skills from the managerschr('39') point of view indicates that the perceptual skills (3.9) and political skills (2.1) respectively account for the highest and the lowest rank among the studied dimensions.

Understanding the general problems of the organization helps managers to be more careful in selecting their styles and choosing the best management model. Although technical knowledge and human and political skills play a significant role, perceptual skills have the most effective role.

Sports brand love refers to the degree of passionate emotional attachment consumers feel towards a sports team. Brand able to be more competitive by establishing the strong brand love of the customers as well as brand identity and brand trust.

The purpose of this research is to present a model of the role of brand trust on brand identity through the mediating role of brand love among fans of Futsal premier league clubs.

The present study is a descriptive-correlative research in compliance with existing standard case studies. The population of this research comprised of all fans of the Farsh Ara Mashhad club, among which 295 were selected according to the temporal and spatial domains of the study as the sample, utilizing simple random sampling method. In order to achieve the research goals, the moderated Brand Identity Questionnaire made by Meal and Ashforth (1992), Albertchr('39')s Brand Love Questionnaire, 2010, and Ballester Brand Trust Questionnaire (2004) were used. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (structural equation modeling and path analysis) were used for data analysis at a significant level recorded as 0.05.

According to the value of the coefficient path between brand trust and brand identity recorded as 0.47, which is positive and the value of the t-statistics correspondence obtained as 2.09, with 95% confidence, the coefficient path at the error level recorded as 0.05 is significant. Furthermore, a significant relationship between brand trust and brand identity was confirmed and also according to the main hypothesis of the research, the path coefficient of the indirect relationship of brand trust, through the mediating variable of brand love on brand identity with the value 0.53 was also calculated and the main hypothesis of the research was confirmed.

In general, investing on brand trust on behalf of the Futsal premier league clubs (especially Farsh Ara club) and in the following plan to increase the admiration of fans in creating and developing a brand identity is one of the significant results mentioned in this research.

In recent decades, information technology has become a vital component of various aspects of our lives. The use of information technology in different domains has made the analysis of the level of its acceptance/rejection a significant factor in organizations.

The aim of this study was to illustrate the application of the extended technology acceptance model in sports organizations.

The participants consisted of 350 employees selected from across various Iranian sports organizations. The data were collected according to the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude (AT), intention to use (IU), technology self-efficacy (TSE), technology anxiety, perceived enjoyment, and user satisfaction for each variable in the study model. A panel of experts determined the face and content validity of the experiment. The Cranach’s alpha coefficient was used to determine the validity.

The results showed that AT, self-efficacy, PU, EOU, and user satisfaction have a meaningful effect on the intention to use information technology. The highest effect was related to AT, and the lowest to user satisfaction.

It can be claimed that when people have a more positive AT toward the use of information technology, they will exhibit beliefs or excitements, which makes it more viable for them to perceive information technology positively, and consequently increase the intention to use it.

Knowledge today is a strategic factor in achieving a sustainable competitive advantage for power in an organization, but merely having knowledge only as an asset does not create value. The sharing and dissemination of knowledge with other members within and outside the organization will provide a space for the creation of new and valuable knowledge assets.

The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize factors affecting knowledge sharing and dissemination in Iranchr('39')s ministry of youth and sports.

This study employed the qualitative research method. The study population included all managers, advisers, and experts of the ministry and faculty members informed in the field of knowledge management within the ministry. In the first stage, purposive sampling based on theoretical l approach and 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Using coding method seven main factors were detected by MAXQDA software. The next step was to prioritize and interpretive structural modeling and the opinion of eight experts and academic professors was used.

After analyzing the data, factors affecting knowledge sharing were put into 5 levels. Leadership factors were placed at the bottom of the model and the individual factors placed at the highest level.

The insight that this model offers can help in the success and effectiveness of KM activities in this ministry.

Marketing mix is a tool which can be used by administrators to achieve their goals.

This research investigated the role of sports marketing mix in generating revenue for football clubs.

Data for this mixed method research was obtained from library studies, interviews with experts, and questionnaires. The statistical population comprised employees of the Football Federation, football clubs, and universities in the field of sports marketing. Theoretical sampling was conducted in the qualitative stage and interviews continued to the point of saturation. The whole statistical population was sampled in the quantitative stage.

The results showed that each element of the sports marketing mix apart from price had a positive and significant impact on generating revenue for football clubs.

Based on the importance and the role of sports marketing mix in generating revenue for football clubs, it is recommended that club managers strive to choose an appropriate marketing mix.

Brands are the most important source of emotional attachment with the consumer, it should be used as a vital tool for attracting and retaining customers of the organization and various sports organizations, should follow the theoretical principles related to brand management and brand loyalty and move towards strategic brand management as a superior marketing philosophy.

The purpose of this research was to position the Sport Sciences Research Institution of Iran using the Perceptual Mapping Technique.

Competitive characteristics and strategic rivals of the Sport Sciences Research Institution were obtained from Rasooli Research (2013). Competitive characteristics and competitors were then prioritized using a researcher-made questionnaire and hierarchical method. The statistical population of this research consisted of the academic staff of the country including faculty members and graduate students. Analytic hierarchy analysis was used to prioritize the research variables.

Based on the obtained results, perceptual maps of the brand position of the research Center were depicted. The results showed that the position of brand of Sport Sciences Research Institution among academic researchers of the country in terms of research services, facilities and products was higher than other competitors while the field of educational services after physical education faculties was in the second place; and effort should be made in this area to promote their brand.

In the competitive and turbulent environment of today, the role of brand as consumerschr('39') decision-making guide is becoming more important. Branding should therefore be considered as a continuous activity in all modes.