Comparing the Visual Skills of a Trinidadian Cricket Team

This study attempted to determine if there is a correlation between visual skills and physical sporting performance by comparing the members within a Trinidadian cricket team based on their ranked visual skills, as well, as their ranked playing ability for batting, fielding and bowling. Visual skills measured were; hand-eye dominiance, static visual acuity, dynamic visual acuity, steropsis, contrast sensitivity, accommodative facility, central and peripheral awareness and eye movement. SPSS Analysis of data showed that there was a weak correlation between the visual ranking and physical ranking. This can be attributed to the many different factors that contribute to remarkable athleticism. One of which is the percetual-cognitive skill that allows athletes to use visual information in the process of decision making and to execute accurate and rapid anticipatory movements. Performance in sports may possess an interdependency of both the hardware (quality of system) and software (knowledge based system) elements, and thus, futher study must be done into the integration of both systems as a unit.

Impact of dropping out of the Sports for Health Program in Grenada

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there were any significant differences in body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) between active participants in the Sports for Health program and participants who were lost to drop out. DESIGN AND METHODS: Persons who were originally part of the program and data collection in 2011, but were no longer active participants were evaluated. The evaluation utilized the data from the participants at their last BMI and WHR measurements as program participants and follow up measurements as non-participants in 2014. RESULTS: Data analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) was signficantly higher in persons who no longer participated in the sports for health program when compared to active program participants. In addition, non-participation of persons in the Sports for Health program was found to increase individual risk factors for chronic diseases, which were originally mitigated by participation in the program. Barriers to participation by many women in the program included lack of partner support and negative community perceptions, which influenced several women to discontinue their participation in the program. Recommendations were made in order to address the barriers to participation and to decrease the drop out rate in the Sports for Health program in Grenada. CONCLUSION: Non-participation in the Sports for Health program adversely affects persons BMI and WHR, therefore, increasing risk factors for several non-communicable chronic diseases.

Sports food

A burst of excitement on the international althletic scene has had the world wondering just how much of the althletic performance is due to nutrition. Some say the secret lies in yam, and yet others think it is in food processing and food quality that makes the difference. But is there really a link between performance and nutrition? If so, what is it?

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of anabolic steroid usage among gym users in Trinidad

Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 1062 gym-users in 14 gyms in Trinidad from February 1997 to July 1997 to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding anabolic steroids (AS). Five hundred and sixty (52.7 percent) females and 502 (48.3 percent) males completed the questionnaire. Half of the total sample were individuals in the 20 to 29 year age group. From the 17 questions that tested knowledge about AS, the median number of correct responses was 7 with a mode of 8. Increased muscle mass was correctly identified as one of the effects of AS by 841 respondents (79.2 percent), while 249 (23.6 percent) of the total sample thought asthma was treated with AS. Most (872 or 82.1 percent) felt that their knowledge about AS was inadequate and 700 (66.0 percent) were of the opinion that AS should be banned from use in competitive sports. Similarly, 733 (70.0 percent) of the gym-users thought AS should only be available by prescription. Thirty respondents reported having used AS (2.9 percent CI 2.0-4.1). The prevalence of AS use was higher among males than females (p<0.001). Improvement of physical appearance and not competitive advantage in sport was the main reason cited for AS use. Anabolic steroid users knew more about the adverse effects of AS than non-AS users but the therapeutic uses of AS were comparatively less well-known. This study demonstrated a general lack of knowledge concerning AS use and that a small but significant proportion of persons using gyms admitted to abusing AS.(Au)

Exercise - the West Indian experience: Position Statement

The west Indians have a sports heritage which we must protect and enhance. Sports is considered a part of education. Many of us in the caribbean either studied physical education or played some sport in England. therefore, our programmes in physical education and sports are originally patterned on the British. In 1944, two supervisors of physical training, Mr. I.G.P. Hugh and Miss Bach from Great Britain, were provided under the colonial Development and Welfare Act for the improvement and modernization of physical training throughout the schools in Jamaica. The then Director of Education, Mr. B.H. Easter, organized a conference of heads of training colleges with a view to drawing up a programme for physical training in the teacher training colleges. Subsequently, in-service training courses in physical training were conducted at various centres throughout the island and syllabuses for infant, lower middle and upper divisions, as they were then called, were compiled and distributed to the infant and elementary schools for the guidance of teachers. These syllabuses were based on the historic 1933 syllabus of physical training in England. At the expiration of the contracts two supervisors, a male and a female, were appointed to continue the programme in Jamaica. The curriculum then consisted of physical exercises, cricket, netball, major games, athletics and some folk and country dancing. By the early fifties, in-service teachers were being awarded scholarship annually to pursue one year supplementary courses in physical education under the British Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme. One such teacher was hired by the Ministry of Education as an Education Officer for physical education in 1956. since then, the scope of physical education has been widened and it now embraces a comprehensive range of physical activities including movement education, educational gymnastics, games (major and minor), athletics (i.e. track and field), dance (modern, educational, folk, etc.), aquatics (swimming and life saving), camping and hiking.(AU)

Nutrition and athletic performance

Optimal athletic performance requires adequate nutritional support. This mean getting enough food to meet increased energy needs and a wide variety to ensure adequate nutrient intake. The main energy source should be carbohydrate. Dietary guidelines for healthy eating apply to athletes and diabetics alike. This study evaluated the diets of young athletes for nutritional adequacy and determined the effect on their performance. Sample selection was based on convenience and included normal and diabetic athletes, mainly swimmers and footballers. Attitudes and practices were determined by questionnaire and a 24-hour recall provided data on nutrient intake. BMI and body fat were calculated. Results showed that the nutritional factor most likely to be low was energy. in many cases, this correlated with the athlete's perception of performance. Vitamin and mineral intakes were generally adequate but fibre intake tended to be low. This may be related to the sparsity of fruits and vegetables for many. The main sources of carbohydrate were refined cereals and sugars. Carbohydrate intake ranged from 50-60 percent of calories. Fat intake was relatively high and protein substantial. Most had BMIs above average, with a few underweight and two marginally overweight. Performance was related to quality of diet and importance placed on nutrition. Also critical was the level of training and self-esteem score.(AU)

Exercise in the treatment of children with diabetes

The normal development of children should be first and foremost, and secondly physical education and sport should be regarded as fun along with the competitive aspect, which makes sport exciting. The same principles which apply to normal children apply to children with diabetes. This means considering their developmental stage, physiological development and physical capabilities, as well as the organisation of sport, suitability of equipment, appropriate coaching strategies and parental guidance. The benefits and risks of exercise for the child with diabetes are similar to those for adults. Evidence is lacking as to whether long-term control as a result of exercise is probable and whether there will be retardation or progression of complications. Young children with diabetes should be in optimal metabolic control to benefit from participation in sport.(AU)

Enhancing athletic performance with nutrition

Research continues to find substances and techniques that can enhance performance without any ill effects. Most of the promising results relate to nutritional factors.

Musculo-skeletal sport injuries in Trinidad & Tobago - abstract

It is well-known fact that exercise is an essential activity in order to maintain a healthy life style. However, the benefits of exercise may be minimized if the risk of injury is high. This 2-year retrospective study analyzed the risk of injury from sporting events in our community. One thousand, nine hundred and eighty-six elective and emergency referrals in our Orthopaedic Unit over this period were studied. Of 1,410 emergency referrals 846 (60 percent) were musculo-skeletal injuries resulting from sporting activities. Among 576 clinic referrals 192 (33 percent) were musculo-skeletal sporting injuries. The risk of injury was found to be 60 percent. Most of the injuries (50 percent) resulted from soccer and occurred in the over 35 years age group. A significant number of these injuries (25 percent) were of such severity as to cause hospitalization and job absence for over 3 weeks. Contributory risk factors found were age, physical fitness, alcohol abuse, the presence of chronic injury, inappropriate footwear, inadequate protective geat and non-compliance with the rules and regulations of the sport (AU)

Sudden death in athletes in Trinidad and Tobago

Sudden death related to exercise activity is a well-recognised clinical syndrome. Although the incidence is low, it is always an agonizing experience to all concerned when a young, relatively healthy individual dies suddenly. Over the last four years, we have had six proven cases of sudden death in athletics. The cause varied from congenital to acquired pathology of the heart, and there was one case of heat stroke. From this study, we were able to analyse some of the risk factors and, from a review of the literature, we are able to determine (1) the feasibility of a screening programme, and (2) the design of such a programme as would be suitable for our environment. (AU)

Sports injuries

Inadequate treatment of sports injuries may result in complications and disability. Sports injuries can be prevented through thorough physical conditioning, building up of muscle bulk, adequate warm up, appropriate clothing and equipment, a well balanced diet and nutrition and pre-season physical examination. In sport, most injuries involve muscles and tendons, joint and ligament damage including displacement and/or rupture and soft tissue injuries. Early therapy is referred to as the RICE therapy; rest, ice, compression and elevation