The Future of Graphene: Preparation from Biomass Waste and Sports Applications.

At present, the main raw material for producing graphene is graphite ore. However, researchers actively seek alternative resources due to their high cost and environmental problems. Biomass waste has attracted much attention due to its carbon-rich structure and renewability, emerging as a potential raw material for graphene production to be used in sports equipment. However, further progress is required on the quality of graphene produced from waste biomass. This paper, therefore, summarizes the properties, structures, and production processes of graphene and its derivatives, as well as the inherent advantages of biomass waste-derived graphene. Finally, this paper reviews graphene's importance and application prospects in sports since this wonder material has made sports equipment available with high-strength and lightweight quality. Moreover, its outstanding thermal and electrical conductivity is exploited to prepare wearable sensors to collect more accurate sports data, thus helping to improve athletes' training levels and competitive performance. Although the large-scale production of biomass waste-derived graphene has yet to be realized, it is expected that its application will expand to various other fields due to the associated low cost and environmental friendliness of the preparation technique.

Diseño y validación del cuestionario de evaluación de la calidad percibida en la gestión deportiva del futbol femenil / Desenho e validação do questionário para avaliação da qualidade percebida na gestão esportiva do futebol feminino / Design and validation of the questionnaire for the evaluation of the perceived quality in sports management of women’s soccer

El objetivo del presente trabajo es diseñar y validar la creación del cuestionario de evaluación de la calidad percibida en la gestión deportiva del futbol femenil. El muestreo fue intencional por conveniencia, con un total de 332 jugadoras y un rango de edad de entre los 18 y 51 años (M= 20.92; DE= 3.59). Se llevaron a cabo análisis de validez de constructo por medio de un análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) así como un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) seguido de análisis de fiabilidad y varianzamedia extractada. El instrumento creado fue el GEDECAFF. Los resultados de los análisis factoriales mostraron 36 ítems divididos en 4 factores: (1) Interacción con el entrenador, (2) Instalaciones, (3) Servicio de personal e (4) Institucional; los indicadores de pertinencia fueron apropiados y explican el 76.25% de la varianza total. Los índices de ajuste, error y chi cuadrado son adecuados CFI = .90, TLI = .89 y RMSEA = .07, χ2/gl = 2.17. Los resultados muestran que Alfa de Cronbach y Omega de McDonald por factores está por encima de .90. En conclusión, el cuestionario GEDECAFF presenta las propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias y atiende las necesidades de los servicios ofrecidos por los distintos clubes, dando oportunidad a la mejora continua de la calidad del servicio en el futbol femenil.(AU)

The purpose of this study is to design and validate the creation of the questionnaire for the evaluation of theperceived quality in the sports management of women's soccer. The sampling was intentional for convenience, with a total of 332 soccer players and an age range between 18 and 51 years (M = 20.92; SD= 3.59). Construct validity analyses were carried out using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) as well as a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) followed by reliability analysis and extracted mean variance. The instrument created was the GEDECAFF. The result of the factor analysis showed 36 items divided into 4factors: (1) Interaction with a coach, (2) Facilities, (3) Personal service, and (4) Institutional; the relevance indicators were adequate, explaining 76.25% of the total variance. The fit and error indices are adequate CFI = .90, TLI = .89, and RMSEA = .07, regarding the χ2/df = 2.17. The results show that Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald's Omega by factors is above .90. In conclusion, the GEDECAFF questionnaire presents the appropriate psychometric properties and meets the needs of the services offered by the different women's soccer clubs, opening an opportunity for continuous improvement in the quality of service in women's soccer.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foivalidar a criação do questionário para avaliação da qualidade percebida na gestão desportiva do futebol feminino. A amostra foi intencional por conveniência, com um total de 332 jogadores de futebol e faixa etária entre 18 e 51 anos (M= 20.92; DP= 3.59). As análises de validade de construto foram realizadas por meio de uma análise fatorial exploratória (EFA), bem como uma análise fatorial confirmatória (CFA), seguida de análise de confiabilidade e variância média extraída. O instrumento criado foi o GEDECAFF. Os resultados das análises fatoriais mostraram 36 itens divididos em 4 fatores: (1) Interação com o formador, (2) Instalações, (3) Atendimento Pessoal e (4) Institucional; os indicadores de relevância foram adequados, explicando 76.25% da variância total. Os índices de ajuste e erro são adequados CFI = .90, TLI = .89 e RMSEA = .07, em relação ao χ2/df = 2.17. Os resultados mostram que o Alfa de Cronbach e o ômega do McDonald's por fatores estão acima de 0,90. Em conclusão, o questionário GEDECAFF apresenta as propriedades psicométricas adequadas e atende às necessidadesdos serviços oferecidos pelos diferentes clubes de futebol feminino, abrindo uma oportunidade de melhoria contínua na qualidade do serviço no futebol feminino.(AU)

Percepción social de la importancia, el impacto y los beneficios esperados de la celebración de los Juegos Mediterráneos de Tarragona en 2017 / Social perceptions of the importance, impact and expected benefits of the mediterranean games to be held in Tarragona in 2017 / Percepção social da importância, impacto e benefícios expectáveis da celebração dos jogos mediterrâneos de tarragona em 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyse the evolution between 2009 and 2010 of residents of Tarragona’s perceptions of the importance, impact and expected benefits of hosting the 2017 Mediterranean Games in Tarragona. A questionnaire was administered to two random samples of residents of Tarragona one year apart. The results showed high percentages of people who felt that this sporting event is either quite important or very important from an economic, social and sporting perspective and that it also has a high local and regional impact, albeit not so much at a national or international level. The residents felt that hosting the Mediterranean Games in Tarragona would be quite a benefit to almost all areas that are influential in a city’s development (infrastructure, tourism, the economy, employment, sports and sports facilities), in addition to the advantages for political groups, athletes, and the organizing committee. The evolution of the two samples was negative for most aspects included in the survey. Lower means and percentages were observed in the ‘quite’ and ‘a lot’ categories for the 2010 sample. The results of this study are useful for events organizers in developing strategies to improve citizens’ involvement, participation and identification with events

La finalidad de este estudio fue analizar la evolución entre los años 2009 y 2010 en la percepción de los tarraconenses sobre el grado de importancia, el impacto y los beneficios esperados de la celebración de los Juegos Mediterráneos de Tarragona en 2017. Se recogieron dos muestras de ciudadanos con un año de diferencia. Los resultados mostraron porcentajes elevados de personas que consideraban que este evento deportivo tiene bastante o mucha importancia económica, social y deportiva, así como una elevada repercusión a nivel local y autonómico, aunque no tan relevante a nivel estatal e internacional. Los tarraconenses consideraron que casi todas las áreas o sectores que influyen en el desarrollo de la ciudad (infraestructuras, turismo, economía, ocupación, práctica deportiva e instalaciones deportivas), los grupos políticos, los deportistas y el comité organizador se beneficiarían bastante o mucho de la celebración de los Juegos Mediterráneos en su ciudad. Asimismo la evolución entre las dos muestras fue negativa para la mayoría de aspectos consultados, observándose medias y porcentajes inferiores en las categorías de bastante y mucho para la muestra de 2010. Los resultados de este estudio son útiles a los organizadores del evento para desarrollar estrategias que permitan mejorar la implicación, participación e identificación de los ciudadanos con el evento

A finalidade deste estudo foi analisar a evolução entre os anos 2009 e 2010 na percepção dos tarraconenses sobre o grau de importância, impacto e benefícios expectáveis da celebração dos Jogos Mediterrâneos de Tarragona em 2017. Foram recolhidas duas amostras de cidadãos com um ano de diferença. Os resultados revelaram percentagens elevadas de pessoas que consideravam que este evento desportivo tem bastante ou muita importância económica, social e desportiva, assim como uma elevada repercussão a nível local e na comunidade autónoma, embora não tão relevante a nível estatal e internacional. Os tarraconenses consideraram quase todas as áreas ou sectores que influem no desenvolvimento da cidade (infraestruturas, turismo, economia, ocupação, prática desportiva e instalações desportivas), os grupos políticos, os desportistas e o comité organizador beneficiariam bastante ou muito da celebração dos Jogos Mediterrâneos na sua cidade. Contudo, a evolução entre as duas amostras foi negativa para a maioria dos aspectos analisados, observando-se médias e percentagens inferiores nas categorias bastante e muito para a amostra de 2010. Os resultados deste estudo são úteis aos organizadores do evento para que possam desenvolver estratégias que permitam melhorar a implicação, participação e identificação dos cidadãos com o evento

The current state of NCAA Division I collegiate strength facilities: size, equipment, budget, staffing, and football status.

Strength and conditioning training programs are essential components of athletic performance, and the effectiveness of these programs can be linked to the strength and conditioning facilities (SCFs) used by athletes. The primary purpose of this study was to provide a statistical overview of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I SCFs, equipment and maintenance budget, and the relationship between SCF budget and staffing space, and equipment. The secondary purpose was to note differences in SCFs between those schools with and without football programs. An 84-item online survey instrument, developed with expert input from certified strength professionals, was used to collect data regarding the SCFs in NCAA Division I universities. A total of 110 valid and complete surveys were returned for a response rate of 38.6%. Results of Pearson's χ2 analysis demonstrated that the larger reported annual equipment budgets were associated with larger SCFs (χ2 = 451.4, p ≤ 0.001), greater maximum safe capacity of athletes using the facility (χ2 = 366.9, p ≤ 0.001), increased numbers of full-time coaches (χ2 = 224.2, p ≤ 0.001), and increased number of graduate assistant or intern coaches (χ2 = 102.9, p ≤ 0.001). Based on these data, it can be suggested to athletic administrators and strength and conditioning professionals at the collegiate level that budgets need to be re-evaluated as the number of personnel available to monitor student-athletes and the size and safe capacity of the facility are related to the ability of the strength and conditioning staff to safely and adequately perform their duties.

"Where have all the bicycles gone?" Are bicycle sales in Australia translated into health-enhancing levels of bicycle usage?

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether the reported increase in bicycle sales in Australia is corroborated by increases in numbers of cyclists. METHODS: Australian representative data on cycling from annual Exercise, Recreation and Sport Surveys (ERASS) from 2001 to 2008 were used. Based on the weighted proportion of cyclists and 'regular cyclists' each year, the number of 'new' riders each year was calculated. Generous assumptions about the number of new bicycle purchased by new riders plus replacement bicycles by regular riders were compared with industry sales figures. RESULTS: Any cycling increased from 9.5% of all adults in 2001 to 11.6% in 2008, an increase of 2.1% [95% CI: 1.14 to 2.76]. This 2.1% represents an overall increase in cyclists of around 343,552 (95% CI from 186,500 to 441,710 new cyclists). The difference between the estimated number bought and the actual industry total average number of bicycles sold (n=753,843 per annum) numbered at least 395,000 unused adult bicycles sold each year after sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: There appear to be many more bicycles sold in Australia than are used. Further improvements may be needed in the cycling environment before a possible latent desire for cycling translates to participation.

Hacia atrás... ni para coger impulso / Always look ahead

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Human health risk assessment of synthetic turf fields based upon investigation of five fields in Connecticut.

Questions have been raised regarding possible exposures when playing sports on synthetic turf fields cushioned with crumb rubber. Rubber is a complex mixture with some components possessing toxic and carcinogenic properties. Exposure is possible via inhalation, given that chemicals emitted from rubber might end up in the breathing zone of players and these players have high ventilation rates. Previous studies provide useful data but are limited with respect to the variety of fields and scenarios evaluated. The State of Connecticut investigated emissions associated with four outdoor and one indoor synthetic turf field under summer conditions. On-field and background locations were sampled using a variety of stationary and personal samplers. More than 20 chemicals of potential concern (COPC) were found to be above background and possibly field-related on both indoor and outdoor fields. These COPC were entered into separate risk assessments (1) for outdoor and indoor fields and (2) for children and adults. Exposure concentrations were prorated for time spent away from the fields and inhalation rates were adjusted for play activity and for children's greater ventilation than adults. Cancer and noncancer risk levels were at or below de minimis levels of concern. The scenario with the highest exposure was children playing on the indoor field. The acute hazard index (HI) for this scenario approached unity, suggesting a potential concern, although there was great uncertainty with this estimate. The main contributor was benzothiazole, a rubber-related semivolatile organic chemical (SVOC) that was 14-fold higher indoors than outdoors. Based upon these findings, outdoor and indoor synthetic turf fields are not associated with elevated adverse health risks. However, it would be prudent for building operators to provide adequate ventilation to prevent a buildup of rubber-related volatile organic chemicals (VOC) and SVOC at indoor fields. The current results are generally consistent with the findings from studies conducted by New York City, New York State, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Norway, which tested different kinds of fields and under a variety of weather conditions.

Synthetic turf field investigation in Connecticut.

The primary purpose of this study was to characterize the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOC), semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC), rubber-related chemicals such as benzothiazole (BZT) and nitrosamine, and particulate matter (PM(10)) in air at synthetic turf crumb rubber fields. Both new and older fields were evaluated under conditions of active use. Three types of fields were targeted: four outdoor crumb rubber fields, one indoor facility with crumb rubber turf, and an outdoor natural grass field. Background samples were collected at each field on grass. Personal air sampling was conducted for VOC, BZT, nitrosamines, and other chemicals. Stationary air samples were collected at different heights to assess the vertical profile of release. Air monitoring for PM(10) was conducted at one height. Bulk samples of turf grass and crumb rubber were analyzed, and meteorological data were recorded. Results showed that personal concentrations were higher than stationary concentrations and were higher on turf than in background samples for certain VOC. In some cases, personal VOC concentrations from natural grass fields were as high as those on turf. Naphthalene, BZT, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were detected in greater concentration at the indoor field compared to the outdoor fields. Nitrosamine air levels were below reporting levels. PM(10) air concentrations were not different between on-field and upwind locations. All bulk lead (Pb) samples were below the public health target of 400 ppm. More research is needed to better understand air quality at indoor facilities. These field investigation data were incorporated into a separate human health risk assessment.

Motor sport in France: testing-ground for the world.

The birth of the automobile in the late nineteenth century was greeted with a mixture of awe, scepticism and sometimes even disdain from sections of the European public. In this article, the steps taken in France to pioneer and promote this new invention are examined. Unreliable and noisy, the early automobile owes a debt of gratitude to the French aristocracy who organised and codified motor racing in an effort to test these new inventions while at the same time introduce them to a wider public. City-to-city races demonstrated the potential of the automobile before the initiative of Gordon Bennett proved to be the catalyst for the birth of international motor sport as we recognise it today. Finally this article looks at the special connection between Le Mans and the automobile. Le Mans has, through its 24-hour race, maintained a strong link with the development of everyday automobile tourism and offers the enthusiast an alternative to the machines that reach incredible speeds on modern-day closed circuits. This article examines how French roads were veritable testing grounds for the earliest cars and how the public roads of Le Mans maintain the tradition to this day.

Daredevils and early birds: Belgian pioneers in automobile racing and aerial sports during the belle époque.

During the belle époque, Belgium was a trend-setting nation in many domains, including motorised sports. Belgian automobile racers and pilots shattered world records and became international stars. Striking was the shift in sports. Indeed, around 1896, sporting members of the leisure class stepped from the bicycle into the automobile and, around 1908, from the automobile into the airplane. Although these motorised sports were extremely expensive, this article shows that sportsmen and sportswomen from the working class could achieve upward social mobility through their performances. The achievements of these motorised pioneers had a major impact and wide-ranging significance. They laid the foundations for the expansion of the automobile industry and the emergence of civilian and military aviation.

Does a free-of-charge distribution of boil-and-bite mouthguards to young adult amateur sportsmen affect oral and facial trauma?

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the compliance effectiveness of free-of-charge distribution of boil-and-bite mouthguards to amateur sportsmen who exercise and play without a formal team, a coach, or regulations. Several infantry units in the Israel Defense Forces distributed maxillary boil-and-bite mouthguards to their recruits. Target companies from these battalions and from similar battalions (comparison group--mouthguards not supplied), were selected. Soldiers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Of the 630 male participants, 272 received a mouthguard and 358 served as the comparison group. No differences were found between groups regarding demographic parameters or overall trauma cases. When compliance to a free-of-charge distributed boil-and-bite mouthguard was assessed, 93 (34.2%) participants reported using the mouthguard during sport activities. Compliance was high for martial arts, but low for other sports. Although the number of self-reported sport-related oral/dental trauma cases was similar between mouthguard users and non-users, the users group showed less severe injuries. However, free distribution to young amateur sportsmen does not affect oral and dental trauma unless accompanied by education and motivation.

An economic evaluation of a proprioceptive balance board training programme for the prevention of ankle sprains in volleyball.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of a proprioceptive balance board training programme for the prevention of ankle sprains in volleyball. METHODS: A total of 116 volleyball teams participated in this study which was carried out during the 2001-2002 volleyball season. Teams were randomly allotted to an intervention group (66 teams, 628 players) or a control group (52 teams, 494 players). Intervention teams followed a prescribed balance board training programme as part of their warm up. Control teams followed their normal training routine. An ankle sprain was recorded if it occurred as a result of volleyball and caused the subject to stop volleyball activity. The injured player completed a cost diary for the duration of the ankle sprain. Analyses were performed according to the intention to treat principle. Mean direct, indirect, and total costs were calculated and were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The total costs per player (including the intervention material) were significantly higher in the intervention group (36.99 (93.87)) than in the control group (18.94 (147.09)). The cost of preventing one ankle sprain was approximately 444.03. Sensitivity analysis showed that a proprioceptive balance board training programme aimed only at players with previous ankle sprains could be cost effective over a longer period of time. CONCLUSIONS: Positive effects of the balance board programme could only be achieved at certain costs. However, if broadly implemented, costs associated with the balance board programme would probably be lower.