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No meta-analysis has analyzed the effect of physical activity level, period of physical activity intervention, and duration of intervention, on perinatal depression. This study was to evaluate the impact of physical activity intensity, dose, period, and duration on perinatal depression.The literature was searched via the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. Weighted mean difference (WMD) or the risk ratio (RR) was used as the effect indicator, and the effect size was represented by the 95 % confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis based on the perinatal stage, physical activity intensity, physical activity equivalent, and intervention duration was performed.Totally, 35 studies including 5084 women were included. Physical activity could reduce the incidence and severity of depression in perinatal women. Among depressed women with prenatal depression, low-intensity physical activity, with metabolic equivalents (METs)-min/week being450, was associated with lower levels of depression. In the general population, the risk of postpartum depression was lower in the physical activity group when the duration of intervention was ≥12 weeks, being II, III stage, and ≥450 METs-min/week. Both low and moderate-intensity physical activity were beneficial to an improved depression severity among depressed women with postpartum depression, and moderate exercise intervention could decrease the risk of postpartum depression in general pregnant women.Different types of physical activities may affect the effectiveness of interventions.Our study indicated physical activity specifically targeted at pregnant women could reduce depression risk and severity.

BackgroundThe psychobiological state known as mental fatigue (MF) is by engaging in mentally taxing activities for an extended period, which is typically found in team sports, of the high cognitive demand and unpredictable environment. It increases the perception of effort and influences executive functions, impairing sport-specific performance in athletes. However, the consequences of MF on sport-specific motor performance (SSMP) among athletes in team sports remain unclear.ObjectiveThis scoping review seeks to find and map research publications that investigate the effect of MF on SSMP in team sports.MethodsWeb of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were searched as the main databases, and CENTRAL, Psychology, and Behavioral Sciences Collection, SPORTDicus obtained from EBSCOhost, as well as gray literature was searched for relevant literature and Google Scholar. Cognitive tasks before the SSMP exam are the focus of the selected literature on mental exhaustion. Only experiments testing mental and non-mental exhaustion were chosen.ResultsTwelve studies fulfill the requirement of selection criteria. SSMP in team sports, including soccer, basketball, cricket, and Australian football mainly is examined as physical and technical performance. More specifically, MF significantly influenced physical performance measured as intermittent endurance and total distance (P < 0.05), while data was inclusive when assess in an ecological setting (e.g., small-sided game) (P > 0.05). Technical performance was mainly measured as ball loss, errors in passing and shooting, interception, and successful tackle and showed a dramatic impairment (P < 0.05). The decline of physical activity is relevant with higher level PRE, while decreased technical performance is related to impaired attention resources shown as visual perceptual.ConclusionMF adversely influences SSMP in team sports. The most relevant theory for future study to examine the impacts of MF on team-sport athletes could be the psychological model of exercise and its potential extension on attention resources, rather than the traditional “catastrophe” theory.

IntroductionIncreasing the hardiness of students is a crucial objective in higher education. Universities and colleges have created a variety of interventions to improve students' overall hardiness.MethodsIn terms of the effects of such interventions, empirical research has shown inconclusive results. This meta-analysis applies 12 effect sizes from 12 independent empirical studies, with a total of 640 participants, to assess the overall impact of interventions on students' hardiness and to test for moderators, in light of the contradictory findings in prior work. The current meta-analysis calculates the standardized mean differences (SMD) of pre-post interventions. The level of study heterogeneity, represented by I2, was interpreted as small (I2 ≤ 25%), moderate (25% < I2 ≤ 50%), substantial (50% < I2 ≤ 75%), or considerable (I2 > 75%). Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis.ResultsThe results show that the interventions had a significant positive overall effect on students' hardiness (g = 0.998, k = 12) and show significant heterogeneity among effect sizes. Among the interventions, cognitive-based intervention yielded the largest mean effect size (g = 2.015, k = 5). Furthermore, moderator analyses suggest that the effects of the interventions on students' hardiness are moderated by respondent type, culture, intervention type, research design, years, and duration of intervention.DiscussionWe conclude that interventions that promote students' hardiness are officious. Despite the low homogeneity of the results and limitations of this meta-analysis (e.g., a small number of included studies) which might have influenced the findings, the large fail-safe N suggests that these findings are robust. The study examined potential causes of heterogeneity and emphasized the importance of further research in this area.

Introduction: Prednisolone causes pro-inflammatory impulses to be inhibited and anti-inflammatory signals to be promoted. As a result, it alters how the body's immune system reacts to certain diseases. The World Anti-Doping Agency, however, has banned SNP and other glucocorticosteroids. An electrochemical sensor can be developed using a gold nanocomposite, polypyrrole nanoparticles and synthesized carbon nanotubes (Au-PPy NPs@CNTs). Objective: Develop an electrochemical sensor to detect prednisolone. Method: Au-PPy NPs@CNTs nanocomposite was chemically synthesized with a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. Results: According to SEM data, the nanocomposite was composed of amorphous Au NPs, and PPy NPs deposited in tubes strongly entangled in a CNTs network. The wide linear range and low detection limit of the Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE as prednisolone sensors were attributed to the combined catalytic performance of the Au and PPy NPs@CNTs nanostructures. Conclusion: The results of prednisolone detection in each specimen using the amperometric method indicated good accuracy. The accuracy and precision of Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE for prednisolone detection were explored in blood samples from 5 young athletes aged 20-24 years who used prednisolone tablets (RSD less than 4.25%). In addition to monitoring prednisolone concentrations in athletes’ serum, Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE can be used as a reliable prednisolone sensor. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigating treatment outcomes.

This systematic review aims to illuminate the effects of functional training on sprinting, jumping, and functional movements in athletes. A systematic search of electronic databases—that include PubMed, EBSCOhost (Sport Discus), SCOPUS, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and additional references—was carried out using keywords associated with functional training, jumping, sprinting, functional movement skills, and athletes, in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement criteria. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to measure the methodological quality of the studies included in the systematic review. Results: From a total of 220 studies, 15 included ones met all eligibility criteria and were scored between 4-5 points—considered as“ moderate quality”—by the PEDro scale. Most studies recorded positive effects of functional training on athletes’ sprinting, jumping, and functional movement. In contrast, a small number of studies did not find any positive effects of functional training on sprinting, squat jump, vertical jump, and countermovement jump due to the short duration and frequency of the training, as well as the lack of additional exercises that come with the interventions. Furthermore, the reviewed studies reveal that there is limited research within the literature on 5, 15, 25, and 50 m sprinting, squat jump, quadrant jump, and functional movement in athletes. Conclusion: Although the length of training interventions varied across studies in this systematic review, functional training interventions were found to help improve athletes’ performance. The review reveals that training duration, intensity, and frequency are some critical variables that need to be taken into account when developing a successful functional training intervention for athletes. More studies are required to evaluate the influence of different accessible functional training durations on athletes’ sprinting, jumping performance, and functional movement. Finally, further research needs to be done to investigate the impacts of functional training on performance and movement skills of male and female athletes at all levels in other sports.Systematic Review Registration: https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-5-0130/, identifier INPLASY202250130

This research aims at determining the effect of blended learning, motivation, lesson hour on student achievement.The research method used is a survey method, with data collection techniques using a questionnaire. The population in this study were students of the Health and Recreation Physical Education Study Program, with a total of 221 UNY students and 188 UPM students. The data analysis technique used regression test. The results showed that (1) There was a significant influence between blended learning on the motivation of UNY and UPM students, (2) There was a significant influence between blended learning on the learning hours of UNY and UPM students, (3) There was a significant influence between blended learning on study hours of YSU and UPM students, (3) There is a significant influence between blended learning on the learning motivation of UNY and UPM students. There is a significant influence between blended learning on learning hours for both YSU and UPM students, (4) There is an influence between blended learning on student learning achievement even though it is weak, this shows that learning achievement is influenced by other variables not studied. Whereas for UPM there is a significant effect, but for the learning achievement variable it is influenced by other variables that are not researched, (5) There is a combined effect of blended learning, motivation, and study hours on UNY and UPM students, but the learning achievement variable is influenced by other factors or variables not studied.

Standing Broad Jump (SBJ) is a field test used to assess leg power. This study aims to determine the reliability, validity, and develop norm reference among adolescents. The evidence of the reliability, validity, norm need to establish in the particular population to support the interpretation of the scores. This study involved 60 subjects and six raters for reliability and validity. 417 subjects for norm development. The ICC, test-retest, and Pearson Correlation were used to determine the reliability. Independent sample t was used to determine the validity. The standard deviation method was used to construct the norm reference. Findings showed the ICC was high among male raters (.96) and female raters (.99). The consistency of the instrument excellent among males and female subjects (r = 96, r = .90). Independent sample t-test showed t value (58) = 3.395, p = 0.01 was significant. Finding showed a significant difference between the elite (M= 2.0871) and non-elite athlete (M= 1.897) for male. While, there are significant different for female subjects’ t value (58) = 7.324, p = 0.00 was significant. The difference showed the SBJ has the construct validity evidence in this population. This study also indicated new norm for SBJ as (M = superior 2.54 above, F = 2.06 above, excellence, M= 2.26-2.53, F= 1.74-2.05, good, M= 2.97-2.25, F= 1.40-1.73, average, M= 1.69-1.96, F = 1.06-1.39, poor, M= 1.68 and below, F= 1.05 and below). The results suggest that SBJ are reliable and validity with the norm reference to assess leg power. This study also will enhance the quality of Physical Education teacher either local or abroad. Hence, quality teachers should produce pupils with the balance of intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical. This study also provides new direction for others researcher to conduct new study especially in term of methodology and population.

Background: This study aims to present a critical review of the existing literature on the effect of core training on athletes’ skill performance, and to provide recommendations and suggest future research directions for both coaches and researchers.Methods: The data in this study were reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. We collected studies in the literature using prominent academic and scientific databases such as Ebscohost, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Only 16 of the 119 studies met all of the inclusion criteria, and were thus included in the systematic review. Each study’s quality was determined using the PEDro scale. The scoring of 16 studies ranges from 2 to 5.Results: Core training could potentially improve skill performance among football, handball, basketball, swimming, dancing, Karate, Muay Thai, gymnasts, volleyball, badminton, and golf players.Conclusion: Compared with the traditional training methods, core training is a new strength training method. Strong core muscles function as hubs in the biological motor chain, which create a fulcrum for the four limbs’ strength and establish a channel for the cohesion, transmission, and integration of the upper and lower limbs. In other words, core training optimizes the transfer and overall control of motion and force to the terminal segment within athletic actions. Meanwhile, core training could increase stability and stiffness in the spine to reduce unrequired “energy leaks” and torso movement during the exertion of external loads. This mechanism could help athletes achieve better skill performance. Therefore, this review suggests that core training should be considered integrated into athletes’ daily training routines.Systematic Review Registration: [https://inplasy.com/], identifier [INPLASY2021100013].

Background: There is evidence that mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) can help one to recover from mental fatigue (MF). Although the strength model of self-control explains the processes underlying MF and the model of mindfulness and de-automatization explains how mindfulness training promotes adaptive self-regulation leading to the recovery of MF, a systematic overview detailing the effects of MBI on the recovery of MF is still lacking. Thus, this systematic review aims to discuss the influences of MBI on the recovery of MF. Methods: We used five databases, namely, PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for articles published up to 24 September 2021, using a combination of keywords related to MBI and MF. Results: Eight articles fulfilled all the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. The MBI directly attenuated MF and positively affected the recovery of psychology (attention, aggression and mind-wandering) and sports performance (handgrip, plank exercise and basketball free throw) under MF. However, the interaction did not reach statistical significance for the plank exercise. Therefore, the experience and duration of mindfulness are necessary factors for the success of MBI. Conclusions: mindfulness appears to be most related to a reduction in MF. Future research should focus on improving the methodological rigor of MBI to confirm these results and on identifying facets of mindfulness that are most effective for attenuating MF.

The emphasis is on puberty, as this is a crucial period of the growth of becoming overweight and obese due to inadequate eating habits and physical inactivity. Lifestyle risk factors are not well known to the South Asian people. The purpose of this review is to determine whether self-monitoring physical activity (PA) programmes can be an effective tool to improve PA levels in school-age children and adolescents, hence be adopted to serve as a platform for additional research. Systematic search was conducted using PUBMED, MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives. The electronic search yielded an initial 70 articles and the majority of articles were eliminated. The remaining relevant papers were 18 that became the basis for this review. Review sources were from 2008 to 2019. The majority of South Asian adolescents were not active enough to meet the recommended guidelines for PA. Further, none of the articles were published under self-monitoring PA interventions among age 11 to 19 adolescents in South Asia. Further knowledge concerning Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) and healthy lifestyle factors were poor among school adolescents. The outcomes of this review highlight the need for evidence-based intervention programmes with the potential of self-monitoring to be incorporated into the national education system.

BackgroundPhysical fitness comprises both health- and skill-related components that have been shown to correlate with the competitive ability of the athletes. Competitive ability of the athletes is strongly related to the positive or poor characteristics of physical fitness. Additionally, the adolescent stage is critical for the development of physical fitness. Physical fitness training for young tennis players should receive more attention. However, the current literature is deficient in in-depth reviews of the effects of exercise training on the physical fitness of young tennis players.ObjectiveThis review is aimed to investigate the effects of exercise training on physical fitness among young tennis players.MethodsFrom October 2020, a comprehensive search was undertaken in four electronic databases (SCOPUS, PubMed, EBSCOhost (SPORTDiscus), and CINAHL Plus) and also on Google Scholar and other sources of gray literature references. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale and the over scientific evidence was determined using the best evidence synthesis (BES). This review included only studies that employed an experimental design to assess the physical fitness components of young tennis players.ResultsNine articles on exercise training met all inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. The studies were of a high standard of quality. The research findings are relatively credible. The results indicated that speed (n = 8) and agility (n = 8) were the most often investigated performance characteristics in exercise training interventions with young tennis players, followed by power (n = 7), strength (n = 4), and flexibility (n = 1). Exercise training significantly increased the physical fitness of young tennis players in terms of speed and agility. There is a lack of evidence about strength and flexibility. Meanwhile, there is conflicting evidence regarding the effect on power, and yet there is no evidence regarding the effect of exercise training on endurance.ConclusionsThis systematic review established a compelling case for the beneficial effects of exercise training interventions on physical fitness in youngtennis players. The review identifies current research gaps (i.e., athlete gender, with a particular emphasis on female athletes) that should be addressed in future experimental studies.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD 42020213145.

BackgroundIt has been well investigated that nature exposure intervention can restore directed attention and improve subsequent cognitive performance. The impairment of decision-making skills in mentally fatigued soccer players was attributed to the inability of attention allocation. However, nature exposure as the potential intervention to counter mental fatigue and improve the subsequent decision-making skill in soccer players has never been investigated.ObjectsThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of nature exposure intervention on decision-making skills among mentally fatigued university soccer players. Moreover, different durations of nature exposure were also evaluated.MethodsA random control between-subject design was adopted. Players were randomly assigned into six groups with three different durations of the experimental group compared with the corresponding control group (4.17 min: Exp 1 vs. Con 1; 8.33 min: Exp 2 vs. Con 2; and 12.50 min: Exp 3 vs. Con 3). All players were first mentally fatigued by performing a 45-min Stroop task; then, they viewed virtual photos of natural or urban scenes; and finally, they performed a soccer decision-making task.ResultsThe subjective ratings of mental fatigue were significantly higher following the Stroop task. Only Exp 3 (12.50 min viewing natural scenes) significantly improved decision-making reaction time compared with Con 3 (p = 0.09). Moreover, the accuracy slightly increased in Exp 3 after the intervention.ConclusionIn line with attention restoration theory, nature exposure significantly improved decision-making skills in mentally fatigue university players. However, the duration must be 12.50 min for each stimulus to stay longer to attract involuntary attention.

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-cnr-10.1177_10547738221112759 for The Effectiveness of Benson’s Relaxation Technique on Pain and Perceived Stress Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Double-Blind, Cluster-Randomized, Active Control Clinical Trial by Haya Ibrahim Ali Abu Maloh, Kim Lam Soh, Seng Choi Chong, Siti Irma Fadhilah Ismail, Kim Geok Soh, Dima Ibrahim Abu Maloh, Nabeel Al Yateem and Mohannad Eid AbuRuz in Clinical Nursing Research

Supplemental material, sj-docx-2-cnr-10.1177_10547738221112759 for The Effectiveness of Benson’s Relaxation Technique on Pain and Perceived Stress Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Double-Blind, Cluster-Randomized, Active Control Clinical Trial by Haya Ibrahim Ali Abu Maloh, Kim Lam Soh, Seng Choi Chong, Siti Irma Fadhilah Ismail, Kim Geok Soh, Dima Ibrahim Abu Maloh, Nabeel Al Yateem and Mohannad Eid AbuRuz in Clinical Nursing Research

Supplemental material, sj-docx-3-cnr-10.1177_10547738221112759 for The Effectiveness of Benson’s Relaxation Technique on Pain and Perceived Stress Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Double-Blind, Cluster-Randomized, Active Control Clinical Trial by Haya Ibrahim Ali Abu Maloh, Kim Lam Soh, Seng Choi Chong, Siti Irma Fadhilah Ismail, Kim Geok Soh, Dima Ibrahim Abu Maloh, Nabeel Al Yateem and Mohannad Eid AbuRuz in Clinical Nursing Research

Background: Functional training is any type of training designed to improve a specific movement or activity for fitness or high performance sports. This study examined the effect of functional training on the strength and power of young tennis players. Methods: 40 male tennis players were assigned to the functional training group (n = 20; age, 16.7 ± 0.4 years) or the conventional training group (n = 20; age, 16.5 ± 0.6 years). The functional training group received three 60 min sessions per week for 12 weeks, while the conventional training group participated in three sessions per week of mono-strength exercise for 12 weeks. Strength and power were measured according to the International Tennis Federation protocol at baseline, 6 weeks after the intervention, and 12 weeks after the intervention. Results: Both forms of training increased (p < 0.05) push-ups, wall squat test, over medicine ball throw, and standing long jump after 6 weeks of training, and the effect improved further as the 12-week mark approached. Except for the wall squat test (left) at 6 weeks, functional training showed no advantage over conventional training. After an additional 6 weeks of training, all measures of strength and power were better (p < 0.05) in the functional training group. Conclusions: Improvements in strength and power could occur after as little as 6 weeks of functional training, and 12-week functional training could outperform conventional training in male adolescent tennis players.

This study compares the static eye movement (eyes open and eyes closed) and dynamic balance amongst Iranian elderly with and without knee range of motion (ROM) limitations. The method used was a quasi-experimental before/after study. The participants consisted of 30 older Iranian adults, aged 60 or more (10 females and 20 males across two groups of 15 in each group) who were evaluated using the Sharpened Romberg (SR), Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests. An independent t-test was used to compare the descriptive characteristics of the two groups of the elderly. The findings showed substantial alterations in all the measured components between the subjects. The static balance with an open eye (p = 0.028) and closed eye (p = 0.021), as well as the dynamic balance (p = 0.009) between the elderly with and without the limitation of knee ROM, was substantially different. Moving forward, the findings of this study suggested that the balance of the elderly was directly linked to knee ROM, as the elderly without limitations of knee ROM displayed greater stability than the elderly with limitations of knee ROM. Health care practitioners should also understand the ROM of the knee, as individuals with ROM limitations of the knee are more likely to fall due to underlying disorders associated with their balance.

The skill-related physical fitness evaluation index system is an important reference basis for evaluating the competitive level of tennis players. At present, there are few studies on the skill-related physical fitness evaluation index system of Chinese young male tennis players. Based on the characteristics of tennis events and the sensitive period of the development of young tennis players skill-related physical fitness variables, this study uses literature methods, Delphi method and other research methods to construct an evaluation index system for Chinese young male tennis players skills related physical fitness. The results show that: Chinese young male tennis players skill-related physical fitness includes six first-level indicators including speed, strength, endurance, agility, flexibility, and power, 11 second-level indicators such as aerobic endurance, anaerobic endurance, upper body power, and lower body power, etc. 16 third-level indicators such as the hexagon test, beep test, sit and reach, etc.

With the older population increasing worldwide, depressive disorder in this cohort is a serious public health problem that contributes to increased healthcare costs and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among older adults in Malaysia who attended a daycare centre and to identify the relationship between depression and demographic factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 159 older adults recruited following screening for mental capacity. The Malay Geriatric Depression Scale questionnaire was distributed among the participants to obtain descriptive data on the symptoms of depression. Some 59.1% of the participants experienced depression. The most common factors associated with depression were being divorced, low education levels and low income. The findings indicate the need to revise and re-evaluate the activities and programmes in daycare centres for older adults in order to objectively cater to their physical and emotional needs.

Several studies have shown a positive association between variable resistance training (VRT) and improvements in muscular performance. However, the effects of VRT on body composition among untrained individuals remain unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the comparison between of methods of VRT on body composition, muscular strength and functional capacity among untrained male adults. Fifty healthy untrained males (age: 21.5 ± 1.95 years) were selected randomly and assigned into three groups: combined weight and chain (WC), combined weight and elastic band (WE), and free-weight (CG). All three groups completed 12 weeks of high intensity resistance training (70-80% of one-repetition maximum) with three sets of 8-12 repetitions two times per week. Approximately 65% of the whole resistance was provided by free-weights, while the other 35% of the resistance was provided by chains and elastic bands for the WC and WE groups, respectively. Dependent variables including body composition, muscular strength and functional capacity using bioelectrical impedance analyzer, one-repetition maximum and maximum repetitions to muscular fatigue were measured, respectively in pre-test, post-test 1 (week 6) and post-test 2. Significance level was set at P 0.05), all groups showed a significant reduction in fat mass and significant increase in fat-free mass during and after the intervention ( P = 0.0001), and these differences were insignificantly greater in WE and WC groups compared with CG group. Furthermore, all three groups showed significant improvements in muscular strength and functional capacity during and after intervention ( P = 0.0001), and muscular strength and functional capacity were greater in WE and WC groups compared with the CG group, but there were not significant differences in muscular strength and functional capacity between WE and WC groups. However, the WE group showed insignificantly more improvement in muscular strength and functional capacity compared with the WC group during and after the intervention. The results of this study show that VRT has a slightly better effect than free-weight to improve body composition during and after 12 weeks intervention. Also, WE training had a slightly better effect than WC training in improving muscular strength and functional capacity during and after 12 weeks of VRT among untrained male adults.

Several studies have shown a positive association between variable resistance training (VRT) and the improvement of muscular performance. However, the most effective method of VRT to improve muscular performance in untrained individuals remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of two methods of VRT on maximal muscular strength and endurance among untrained male adults. Fifty apparently healthy untrained males (age: 21.5 ± 1.95 years) were selected randomly and assigned into three groups: combined weight and chain (WC), combined weight and elastic band (WE), and freeweight (CG). All three groups completed 12 weeks of high intensity resistance training (70-80% of one-repetition maximum) with three sets of 8-12 repetitions, two times per week. Approximately 65% of the whole resistance was provided by free-weights and the other 35% of the resistance was provided by chains and elastic bands for WC and WE groups, respectively. Dependent variables including maximal muscular strength and endurance using one-repetition maximum and maximum repetitions to muscular fatigue were measured, respectively, in the pre-test, post-test 1 (week 6) and post-test 2. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. No differences existed among all groups at baseline for dependent variables. A mixed model ANOVA with repeated measurements analysis revealed that all groups showed significant improvements in maximal muscular strength and endurance during and after the intervention (P = 0.0001). In WE and WC groups, maximal muscular strength and endurance were significantly greater than CG group during and after the intervention, and there were no significant differences between WE and WC groups in the maximal muscular strength and endurance during and after the intervention. However, the WE group showed an insignificant more improvement in maximal muscular strength and endurance compared with WC group after the intervention (chest press strength: 47.94 ± 4.2 vs. 46.76 ± 4.4 kg, squat strength: 85.29 ± 6.5 vs. 80.73 ± 6.4 kg, chest press endurance: 16.94 ± 1.24 vs. 15.47 ± 1.58 repetitions, and squat endurance: 17.94 ± 0.74 vs. 16.58 ± 1.66 repetitions). The results of this study show that VRT has a significant better effect than freeweight resistance training to improve upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance during and after 12 weeks intervention, in particular, WE training has a slightly better effect than WC training to improve upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance after 12 weeks of VRT among untrained male adults in Iran.

University students typically enter a dynamic transitional period of new independence from their parents that is characterized by many factors. These factors which involve social, financial, and environment elements, can be a burden to the students putting them at risk in negative health behaviours. Negative health behaviours among university students are a course of concern since they have a tendency to be carried into adulthood which can possibly cause the emergence of chronic disease at a younger age. Emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence together with self-efficacy are seen to promote better health behaviour. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence and self-efficacy on health behaviours among university students in Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia. A correlational study was conducted on 400 undergraduate university students who lived on campus and were chosen through stratified random sampling technique using closed ended questionnnaires (Schutte’s Self Report Emotional Intelligence, The Spiritual Self-Report Inventory, General Self Efficacy Scale and a modified version of Health Style Questionnaire). Pearson correlation and structural equation modelling were used to explore association between these aspects. Emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, self-efficacy and health behaviour were significantly correlated. Emotional intelligence and self-efficacy showed a partial mediation effect towards the relationship between spiritual intelligence and promoting health behaviour (p=0.0001). Thus, there was an association between spiritual intelligence with health behaviour, emotional intelligence with health behaviour, and selfefficacy with health behaviour. It is interpreted that spiritual intelligence can boost positive health behaviour and it is associated with emotional intelligence and self-efficacy relevantly gives benefit to health behaviour. Such data have important implications for both health practice and policy especially for higher education institutions.

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between perceptions of fitness facility service quality and future intention to use campus fitness center at Mahasarakham university, Thailand. A total of 250 campus recreation fitness center users (males = 189, females = 61) comprising of students and staff from Mahasarakham University was selected to participate as subjects in the study. The questionnaire consisted of items based on the Likert-scale Service Quality Assessment Scale (SQAS) developed by Lam, Zhang and Jensen (2005). Future intention was measured using two items by Zeithaml et al. (1996): word-of-mouth communications and repurchase intentions. The results showed fitness facility service quality (s = .300, p

The purpose of this study was to examine user’s perceptions of service quality and future intention to use campus recreation fitness center in Universiti Putra Malaysia. Data were collected from 200 students and staff of the university (males = 140, females = 60) who frequently used the campus recreation fitness center. The questionnaire consisted of items based on the Likert-scale Service Quality Assessment Scale (SQAS) developed by Lam, Zhang and Jensen (2005). Behavioral intention is based on three questions modified from Cunningham and Kwon (2003). The results showed that recreation fitness center users are satisfied with the overall staff service quality (m=34.14) and fitness facility service quality (m=34.14), but moderately satisfied with overall facility service quality (m=30.77) and overall program service quality (m=24.44). The findings indicated UPM recreation fitness center users have a high intention (m=4.02) to recommend the recreation center to other people and to renew their membership. The result also shows overall staff service quality (s = .288 p

University students experience a substantial amount of change where they progress from the highly controlled setting of school to the self-motivated environment of the university. Many changes which involve social, financial, and environment elements, can be a burden to the students putting them at risk in negative health behaviours. Negative health behaviours among university students are a course of concern since they have a tendency to be carried into adulthood which can possibly cause the emergence of chronic disease at a younger age. Spiritual intelligence together with self-efficacy is seen to promote better health behaviour. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between spiritual intelligence and self-efficacy on health behaviours among university students in Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia. A correlational study was conducted on 400 undergraduate university students who lived on campus and were chosen through stratified random sampling technique using closed ended questionnnaires (The Spiritual Self-Report Inventory, General Self Efficacy Scale and a modified version of Health Style Questionnaire). Pearson correlation and structural equation modelling were used to explore association between these aspects. Spiritual intelligence, self-efficacy and health behaviour were significantly correlated. Self-efficacy showed a partial mediation effect towards the relationship between spiritual intelligence and promoting health behaviour (p=0.0001). Thus, there was an association between spiritual intelligence with health behaviour, and self-efficacy with health behaviour. It is interpreted that spiritual intelligence can boost positive health behaviour and it is associated with self-efficacy relevantly gives benefit to health behaviour. Such data have important implications for both health practice and policy especially for higher education institutions.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of home-based programme to improve physical activity among undergraduate female students in Iraq. The participants were Iraqi sedentary undergraduate female students (N=44) who were assigned to two groups consisted of experimental group (N=22) and control group (N=22) respectively. The experimental group received a 12-week home based intervention programme which focuses on PA, while the control group were maintaining their usual life. Measurements for all the variables were taken prior to the intervention (pre-test), at week 6 (post-test1), and after 12 weeks (post-test2). The results of Mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance shows a statistically significant between the mean test scores in the pre-test, post-test1, and post-test2 measurements of PA in the experimental group. This study provided evidence that home-based intervention programme which focused on physical activity had a significant effect on improving physical activity.

This study aims to examine the relationship between organisational justice and organizational commitment with perceived organisational support of the Malaysian High Performance School Sports Developmental Programme (SPTS) volunteer coaches, in an organisation sponsored volunteerism at grass root sports development level. A cross-sectional correlation research mail survey was conducted. Data were analysed by using IBM SPSS statistics software and structural equation modelling with AMOS. Findings showed that interpersonal justice related positively with affective commitment but negatively with continuance commitment; while, distributive justice was only linked to normative commitment. All four dimensions of organisational justice except procedural justice were associated with perceived organisational support. Perceived organisational support relates only to normative commitment. Moreover Organisation Support Theory, under current research, is suggested to contextualise and resolve their conflicting dual roles as a teacher by contract and as a volunteer coach by assignment within the organisation. Besides, it is essential to strengthen the Sports Officers’ capabilities and abilities in volunteer sports management in order to achieve Malaysia’s aim for sports excellence. Future in-depth research is recommended for a better understanding of the subject matter.

This study aimed to examine how school volunteer coaches perceived the relationship between four-dimensional of organisational justice (procedural, distributive, interpersonal, and informational justices) and perceived organisational support. A cross-sectional correlational research mail survey was conducted on 750 Malaysian school volunteer coaches by applying proportionate stratified random sampling techniques. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS and structural equation modeling with AMOS. Results showed all dimension of organisational justice with the exception of procedural justice are associated with perceived organisational support. This finding has contradicted a majority of past literature findings that procedural justice has the strongest influenced on organisational outcomes. The results suggest the need to craft fair procedures or policies that allow freedom of voice in the volunteer coach management system. A sound system of procedural justice is important for the organisation to demonstrate its support towards volunteer coaches, in order to attract their emotional attachment and loyalty to coach for the organisation in the long run.

An understanding of factors influencing haemoglobin (Hb) level among antenatal mothers can help healthcare providers assess, take appropriate action and manage anaemia in this risk group more effectively. A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban areas in Malaysia to determine the Hb levels of antenatal mothers and their association with various socio-economic characteristics. Data for this study were collected from pregnant women during their first antenatal check-up at three selected polyclinics in Malaysia. Anaemia in pregnancy was determined by the Hb level recorded during the first and the last antenatal visits. Determination of Hb was either by a photo calorimetric method or by the Sahliis method. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to identify the factors influencing Hb level among the antenatal mothers. This study found that 73 out of 217 mothers (33%) were anaemic in that their Hb levels were below 11.00 g/dl. The findings also suggested that Hb levels among the antenatal mothers were influenced by various factors such as education level, occupation, and family income. Anaemia was generally more common among antenatal mothers who had a lower level of education and who were from a background of lower family income.

This study was carried out to determine the relationship between ethnicity/culture and analgesic consumption among patients from three main ethnic groups in Malaysia after breast cancer surgery. A retrospective study design was adopted, using medical records of 80 patients. The findings showed that the analgesic most consumed by the patients during the 48 hour post-operative period was morphine equivalents (85%), followed by non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (60%) and paracetamol (38%). No relationship was found between ethnicity/culture and the type or amount of analgesic consumption.

Studies have indicated that lack of regular physical exercise and not adhering to a health-promot- ing lifestyle among student nurses are barriers to their encouraging patients to exercise. On the other hand, nurses who personally embrace physical activity are more likely to encourage their patients to improve their health through physical activity or diet. As a result, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among student nurses is important because this has a crucial role in their subsequently encouraging healthy lifestyles among their patients. The aims of this study were to determine the physical activity levels and health-promoting lifestyles among student nurses in Malaysia, and to investigate whether there was a correlation between the physical activity levels of student nurses and their lifestyle habits. Further investigation was also carried out to correlate lifestyle habits with physical activity during weekdays and at the weekends. This study involved 189 student nurses who were pursuing Diplomas and Bachelor Degrees in local government universities. The Yamax Digi-Walker pedometer was used to measure physical activity, while the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) II questionnaire was used to assess the health-pro- moting lifestyles of the participants. The HPLP II consisted of six sub-scales which included health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management. According to the results on physical activity, the student nurses had a mean of 8275.97 ± 2210.174 steps per day and were thus categorised as somewhat active. Additionally, the student nurses were found to be more active during weekends (M = 8389.75, SD = 2689.12) as compared to weekdays (M = 8230.46, SD = 2353.97). According to previous studies, both step counts are classified in the “somewhat active” category. Overall, the results for HPLP II showed that student nurses students in Malaysia had a positive health-promoting lifestyle with a score of 2.58 ± 0.34 on a 4-point Likert scale. The highest score was reported in spiritual growth, with a score of 2.92 ± 0.43. Meanwhile, physical activity was observed to be the lowest, with a score of 1.74 ± 0.39. The results found no correlation between physical activity and overall health-promoting lifestyle among student nurses in Malaysia (r = 0.06, n = 189, p < 0.37). However, there was a significant relationship between physical activity (measured by the pedometer) and physical activity habit (measured through the questionnaire) among the student nurses (r = 0.24, n = 189, p < 0.01). According to the findings, when the participants indicated in the questionnaire that they were active physically, the pedometer readings also showed a corresponding similarity in terms of their daily physical activities.

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of volunteer coaches in Malaysian schools about the relationship between organisational justice and organisational commitment. A cross-sectional correlational study using mail survey was conducted on 750 Malaysian school volunteer coaches. The subjects were selected using proportionate stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The data were analysed using structural equation modeling with AMOS. Path analysis showed that only interpersonal justice was related to affective commitment. Interpersonal justice creates a sense of belongingness and internalisation with the organisation value and norm, thus fostering higher affective commitment by willing to stay and strive for organisational goals. The results also show interpersonal justice to be negatively related with continuance commitment. This suggests that by providing fairer interpersonal treatment (i.e. interpersonal justice), the authorities would lower the volunteer coaches’ psychological engagements in continuance commitment. Distributive justice was found to be significantly related to normative commitment. Based on social exchange theory (Blau, 1964) if volunteer coaches are given opportunity through providing fair resources allocation and sports equipment, they would harness their effort to fully engage in coaching, in exchange, they would increase their normative commitment.

This research examined how customers’ perceptions of service quality influence the degree of their involvement and psychological connection to a sport activity at a fitness center by applying the Psychological Continuum Model (PCM). Research instruments consisted of the PCM and SERVQUAL and administered to customers at a fitness centre in Malaysia (n = 248). In terms of sport involvement, the results showed most subjects are in the level of attachment. Results showed all dimensions of service quality have negative mean scores which mean customers are dissatisfied will all aspects of service quality at the fitness centre. A one-way ANOVA showed differences in satisfaction with service quality based on the PCM level of involvement for tangible, reliability, responsiveness and empathy dimensions of service quality. Customers at the higher level of involvement (allegiance) reported less dissatisfaction with the tangible, responsiveness, empathy and reliability dimensions of service quality compared with those at the awareness level.

A direct relationship exists between rising living standards and weight-gain/health-related problems. This has become increasingly widespread resulting from increases in socioeconomic development and changes in lifestyle, related to physical, and behavioral health. The purpose of this study is to determine and further evaluate the differences in physical activity level, dietary habits, sleeping duration, body composition, and fitness level between Malaysian adolescents at international and public schools, in relation to gender. Method: Two hundred and ten Malaysian students from international and public schools in Kuala Lumpur, male and female age 14-16 years old, participated in this study. Physical activity questionnaires were used to estimate the daily/weekly physical activities levels. Body composition was determined by percentile/age BMI and measurements to percent body fat. Fitness level was assessed by using the 20m shuttle run test.Results; females had higher percent body fat and BMI than males; females do more low intensity activities than males. There are differences on %fat, low intensity METS, and VO2 max between Malaysian student studying at public and international schools.

Studying Arab and Malaysian students at international schools appears new to the research field, as there is little in the way of data or literature review that has been obtained to date.The purpose of this study is to compare lifestyle parameters (physical activity, body composition, fitness level and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) risk factors) of Arab and Malaysian adolescents Method:a total of 190 adolescents students, 96 Malaysian and 94 Arab, both male and female aged 14-16 years old, participated in this research.A questionnaire was used to obtain details of physical activity levels (PAL) in Metabolic Equivalents. A 20m shuttle-run test was used to estimate the fitness level (VO2max). A finger prick sample of fasting blood was obtained to measure high-density (HDL) lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), glucose (GLU) and triglycerides (TRG) in mmoll and identify CHD risk factors, by using the Cholestch LDX analyzer. BMI and %fat used for the body compositions. Conclusion:males were more physically active than females.Arab students had lower BMI, GLU, and TC and participated more in physical activities, and their fitness level was higher than Malaysian students at international schools.Malaysian adolescents had higher triglycerides levels than Arab adolescents.

Introduction: This review paper aims to introduce yoga as a method for dealing with stress of children, and discusses how it can help them to balance body and emotion. Children need to listen inward: to their bodies, ideas and their feelings. Yoga helps children on being self aware and taking part in social activities. Method: This review attempted to gather the relevant papers that were previously published on the subject. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were the sources for findings the articles. Only the articles that were published not later than 2005 were selected. Results: Nowadays, children’s expectations are higher than in the past, and their interest on the internet, media, and other communication technologies has increased. Using these media devices and the time that they spend on it may influence their lifestyles negatively and cause stress. While these technologies are very useful in their life for communication even in learning and entertainment, these sources can also lead to undeveloped attention. This article is suggesting yoga as a helpful method for children to deal with their stress, and to increase their well-being, mental health, and positive feelings. Conclusion: Yoga aids to improve physical and mental health among children and helps students in enhancing resilience, mood and self-regulation skills related to emotion and stress.

As we all know the benefits of physical activity (PA) on physical and mental health are well established. However, inactivity among adults in Malaysia is still prevalent. This study examined whether emotional intelligence (EI) was one of the possible underlying psychological mechanisms that may be associated with the current low levels of PA adherence. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine whether EI plays a role as the potential underlying mechanism of PA behaviour among Malaysian adults. A total of 172 supporting staffs were recruited at a local Malaysian university. It was found that supporting staffs with higher physical activity in a week had better total EI scores and composite subscale scores. The findings of this study provide further support on the claims that there is a positive relationship between increased levels of EI and physical activity. Thus, the importance of higher emotional intelligence is critical in helping to bombard the sedentary lifestyle and inactivity among Malaysian adults. Therefore, training programs for university staffs in emotional intelligence skills is seen to be one of the upmost important agenda that should be looked at in the public sectors to help in promoting exercise and physical activity participation. It is highly recommended that the programs should be targeted at the maximum level towards individual who were sedentary and low active.

The purpose of the study was to compare the leg power among Malaysian national netball players according to their age and playing position. The Vertical Jump Test was chosen to measure the leg power by using “Digital Indication Jump Meter” device. The results of the Vertical Jump Test were used to compare the leg power among the subjects in this study and other studies. The subjects in this study were fifty-two (52) Malaysian national netball players who had been chosen to participate in phases one and two training sessions for the 1998 Milo Malaysia-Singapore Games (Mean age=19.12 + 3.29 years old, mean for height=166.74 + 6.43cm, and mean body mass=58.29 + 6.87kg). The subjects were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of players who were under 17, 19, 21, and above 21-years of age. All the subjects in the above 21-years old category were selected to represent Malaysia at the 11th Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. The second group was formed according to the subjects' playing positions, i.e. attacking, center, and defending positions. The Malaysian Netball Association approved this study and written consent was obtained from all the players prior to the testing. The results showed significant difference in leg power among Malaysian national netball players in the different age groups F=(2,49)=6.14, p (Af. J. for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2003 9 (1): 32-39)