Association of Physiological Performance, Physical Fitness, and Academic Achievement in Secondary School Students.

This study aimed to compare the physiological performance and physical fitness based on the academic achievement levels of secondary school students and to explore the effect of gender on the relationship between physiological performance, physical fitness, and academic achievement. In this cross-sectional study, 304 children aged 13-14 years were recruited. To assess physical fitness, students performed a 20 m sprint test, a pro-agility test, a one-mile endurance run/walk test, and a countermovement jump test. At the end of the one-mile endurance run/walk test, the estimated VO2peak value of the participants was calculated. The physiological performance of the students was determined by measuring their resting heart rate and blood pressure. Students were grouped into three categories based on their academic achievement levels. The assessment of academic achievement considered their scores from the previous academic year. The scores were divided into three levels: poor (average score of 69 points or less), average (scores ranging from 70 to 84 points), and good (scores of 85 points or higher). The study revealed a notable disparity among students' VO2Max measurements based on their academic achievement (F = 8.938, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.056). However, we observed that the group with poor academic achievement displayed lower diastolic blood pressure values than the groups with average and good performances. Finally, no significant gender differences were evident in the relationship between academic achievement and any of the physical and physiological parameters.

The effect of aerobic and high-intensity interval training on plasma pentraxin 3 and lipid parameters in overweight and obese women.

Background: It is unclear whether different exercise programs lead to an increase in the concentration of plasma Pentraxin3 (PTX3), an anti-inflammatory protein. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on plasma PTX3 levels in overweight and obese women. Method: A total of 45 sedentary women aged between 32.26 ± 6.30 voluntarily participated in the study. The control group (CG, n = 15) was selected among normal-weight women. Women in the group of participants who partook in exercise consisted of overweight and obese women according to a random method, including the AE group (n = 15) and the HIIT group (n = 15). The AE session conducted was 50 min in duration and consisted of warm-up exercises (5 min), and primary exercises (40 min, basic aerobic-step exercises). HIIT consists of warm-up exercises (5 min), primary exercises (work intervals: 6-10 × 1 min (80-90% HRmax), rest intervals: 1 min (walk, 50% HRmax), 21-29 min running. The exercises were applied for three sessions/week for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken from all participants before and after exercise and their body composition was measured. Results: As a result of two different 12-week exercises, serum PTX3 levels increased significantly by 47.53% in the AE group and 50.21% in the HIIT group (p < 0.01). It was determined that the mean PTX3 before and after exercise increased from 1.71 ± 0.43 to 2.47 ± 0.40 ng/dL and HIIT from 1.62 ± 0.39 to 2.31 ± 0.33 ng/dL. A significant decrease in body mass index (BMI) values were detected, approximately 5.81% in the AE group and 5.06% in the HIIT group (p < .01). A significant decrease was detected in glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, and hsCRP whereas HDL-C and VO2max value increased significantly in both exercise groups (p < .05; p < .01). There were no significant differences in TG and TC levels between groups (p > .05). Also, no significant differences were found between the two types of exercises in terms of parameters. A significant negative correlation in the total sample was found between PTX3 with BMI, fat mass, LDL-C, and hsCRP. Conclusion: The percentage change in PTX3 values was not different between exercise types, whereas PTX3 was increased with exercise, regardless of the type of exercise. It can be said that both aerobic and HIIT increase PTX3, VO2max levels and improve lipid metabolism in overweight and obese women.

Effect of acute anaerobic performance on zinc alpha 2 glycoprotein, apelin and lipasin levels.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute anaerobic exercise on serum levels of adipokines Zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG), apelin, and lipasin. Eighteen male athletes who actively played soccer and trained at least four days a week, with a mean age of 19.11 ± 2.59 years, body weight of 70.61 ± 8.17 kg, height of 176.0 ± 7.71 cm, sport age of 7.22 ± 2.60 years and BMI of 22.76 ± 1.68 kg/m2 participated in the study. Athletes were subjected to the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) for anaerobic performance. Blood samples were collected from the athletes 4 times (at rest, 10 minutes, 60 minutes, and 24 hours after exercise). The results of the study showed that acute anaerobic exercise significantly increased ZAG levels (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was detected in apelin and lipasin levels (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that acute anaerobic exercise is associated with an increase in ZAG levels, but not apelin or lipasin levels. The observations suggest that ZAG may have a specific response to anaerobic exercise, which provides valuable insight into its potential impact on energy metabolism.

The effect of 10 weeks of karate training on the development of motor skills in children who are new to karate.

This study investigated the effect of a 10-week karate training program on the motor skill development of 5-7-year-old children new to karate with two different test batteries. A total of 28 participants were included in the study: 18 in the Karate group and 10 in the control group. The karate group was subjected to a fundamental karate training (kihon) program consisting of 90-minute sessions four days a week for ten weeks in addition to physical education classes at their schools. In contrast, the control group did not participate in any sportive activities except physical education classes in their schools. Data were collected using the Eurofit test battery and the TGMD-2 test. In the pre-post test comparison of the anthropometric measurements of the karate group, no significant difference was found in the control group. In contrast, a significant difference was obtained in height, body mass index, and body fat percentage. In the post-test analysis of the two independent groups, there were statistically significant differences in favor of the karate group regarding height and body fat percentage (p < 0.005). In the pre-post analysis of the Eurofit test and the TGMD-2 for the karate group, all parameters showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001), while the control group showed no statistical difference. After comparing the karate and control groups, the Eurofit Test and TGMD-2 post-test results showed significantly higher scores (statistically significant differences) in all parameters for the karate group. In conclusion, the study shows that the 10-week karate training program positively affected the motor development of the participating children.

Associations between Force-Time Related Single-Leg Counter Movement Jump Variables, Agility, and Linear Sprint in Competitive Youth Male Basketball Players.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has reported a strong relationship between vertical jumping, sprinting, and agility, as a reflection of lower-limb power. Unilateral analysis of this relationship has not yet been explored. This study primarily investigated the associations between single-leg countermovement jump (CMJ), sprint, and agility performances in youth basketball players. METHODS: Thirty-five male basketball players from the youth category (age 15.06 ± 2.62 years, n = 32 right-limb dominant; n = 3 left-limb dominant) performed single-leg CMJ, 20 m sprint, and T-drill agility tests over two sessions. Force-time-related performance variables were measured using a single-leg CMJ test on a Kistler force plate. RESULTS: Significant moderate to large negative correlations were observed between single-leg CMJ variables, 20 m sprint, and T-drill agility, except for mean force for both dominant and non-dominant leg measures (r = -0.384 to -0.705). Mean power and mean force were correlated with the physical characteristics of the athletes for both legs (r = -0.389 to -0.843). Flight time and jump height were identified as the best predictor variables for both sprint and agility time in the stepwise model (R2 = 0.608 to 0.660). No statistical inter-limb differences were found during the single-leg CMJ test (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that youth basketball players with greater single-leg jump output most likely have better sprint and agility performances. Thus, trainers and athletic performance coaches may include unilateral limb exercises in their training programs to enhance lower-limb explosive performance and reduce limb asymmetries.

Examination of basic motor skills in children and adolescents.

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was the investigation of basic motor skills in 5-14-year-old boys and girls. Materials and Methods: A total of 842 primary school children, 421 boys and 421 girls, participated in the study. 13.3% of the participants were 5-6 years old, 29.5% were 7-8 years old, 21.5% were 9-10 years old, 16.4% were 11-12, and 19.4% were 13-14 years old. The balance skills of the participants were measured with the (Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder) KTK test. Findings: When the classification of children according to KTK defining classes is examined, 40.7% are very good. When the children's KTK Backward Balancing scores were examined, a statistically significant difference was found between gender and age groups (p < 0.05). Girls between the ages of 5-6 and 7-8 years had a higher score for KTK backward balance. KTK Total scores were examined according to the Body Mass Index groups, when the total scores of KTK were compared, the lowest scores were in the obese group. Conclusion: According to the study results, age is an essential factor for balance skills. As the age increased, the overall scores of the KTK increased. It was determined that girls' KTK backward balancing scores were higher than boys. According to BMI results, the balance performances of obese children were found to be lower than the other groups. This difference can be explained by the negative effect of obesity in this age group. According to these results, it may be recommended to observe and improve the balance performances of obese children.

Examining the Relationship between Pes Planus Degree, Balance and Jump Performances in Athletes.

The foot absorbs shocks with its arches, muscles, ligaments and joints, and bodyweight transmission and it pushes the body forward during all movement patterns. Pes planus is more important in sports activities that include balance and sports performance, such as walking, running, jumping, or transferring weight to a single lower limb. This study, conducted with this information in mind, aims to examine the effects of pes planus deformity on balance and vertical jump performance. Fifty athletes were included in the study. The presence of pes planus was evaluated according to the Feiss line. Balance measurements were performed with a Balance System SD Biodex. Vertical jump performance was recorded using an Omegawave jumping mat. The relationship between the pes planus grades of the participants and their balance and jump performances was analyzed using the Spearman correlation method. Vertical jump and Limit of stability (LOS) was significantly correlated with pes planus.