Annals of Applied Sport Science

Background. Given the importance of English a global language and one of the four official languages used in FIFA, it is essential to acquaint students who are specialised in Physical Education with English sport terminology.
Objectives. This study aims to determine the knowledge level of physical education students in Saudi universities’ faculties and departments in relation to English sports terms. A survey was used to collect the relevant data from the participants.
Methods. The study sample consisted of 600 students, who were selected using stratified random sampling during the academic year 2013-2014. The results indicate that the average percentage of correct answers was only 8.58%.
Results. The results also suggest that there are statistically differences for study variables related to students’ performance. Those students who actively play sports performed better than those who do not. Moreover, those students who have at least one non-Arab parent performed better than students who are of Arab parents. The researchers also found that graduates of international schools outperformed their private and public school peers. Finally, fourth year students achieved higher results than the more junior ones.
Conclusion. The paper concludes with recommendations to review our language policy in general and to consider the addition of a unit or a chapter specific to English sports terminology in the curriculum to be taught to students in lectures. The researchers also recommend using and developing this test as a standard to determine the level of students’ proficiency and the extent of their knowledge of English sports terminology.

Background. The acute ingestion of ketone body supplements can improve exercise responses such as oxygen consumption and blood lactate. Additionally, ketone body supplements show increases in circulating βhb concentration, matching those of someone in a state of nutritional ketosis. Studies testing ketone body supplements have reported different results in exercise response and varying gastrointestinal discomfort.
Objectives. This study aimed to compare the effects of exogenous ketone supplements on submaximal exercise response in a group of trained male cyclists.
Methods. A randomized, double-blind study was conducted. Forty-four males were randomly assigned to one of four supplement groups, i.e., high ketone (HKET) (10g βhb); low ketone (LKET) (4g βhb); carbohydrate (CHO); or placebo (PLA). Oxygen consumption and blood lactate were measured as markers of exercise response and blood βhb as a marker for ketosis, during a submaximal cycle protocol (30 min at 60% VO2max).
Results. Two of the three supplements increased oxygen consumption (CHO: p<0.0005; and HKET: p=0.015). The HKET group experienced an increase in maximal blood lactate (P = 0.010) and a decrease in lactate threshold (d=0.93). Additionally, the HKET group showed the largest increase in circulating βhb concentration (P = 0.004) 30 minutes following ingestion. The respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate, and plasma glucose were not affected.
Conclusion. Although the exogenous ketone supplements were able to induce a mild state of ketosis (>0.5 mmol/L),  no positive effect on exercise response was shown.

Background. A biofeedback program receives attention as an intervention program for athletes to regulate their psychological state. Objectives. The purpose was to apply for a heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training program and validate its effectiveness for racket sports players.
Methods. The participants were eight elite sport athletes (three men and five women): five squash players and three tennis players. The HRV biofeedback training program consisted of ten sessions in which the participants performed paced breathing for 10 minutes (e.g., 5-second inspiration and 5-second expiration). The means and standard deviations of the collected data were calculated, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed using SPSS windows 18.0.
Results. Changes in HRV by the biofeedback training were significant. Standard Deviation of Normal to Normal (SDNN; Z = -2.38, p = 0.017) in time domain and Low Frequency (LF, Z = -2.52, p = 0.12) and the ratio of LF to High Frequency (HF; Z = -2.52, p = 0.12) in frequency domain were increased.
Conclusion. The present study provides empirical results needed to expand HRV biofeedback training research for the performance enhancement program of athletes.

Background. Human feet have important roles in supporting, moving and balancing the body. The feet must not only support the weight of the body but must also have the elasticity to absorb the burden associated with supporting excessive body weight.
Objectives. The purpose of this study was to compare the difference of foot pressure, ground reaction force, and balance ability according to change of the foot arch during the weight loading.
Methods. Total 60 healthy young adults were divided into flexible flat foot group (FFFG, n = 30) and normal foot arch group (NFAG, n = 30) by screening navicular drop test. To compare the foot pressure, the rate of change was calculated by measuring the foot contact area when walking against the foot contact area when standing. The ground reaction force measurement was performed to calculate the contact time of the foot, vertical force peak, and total GRF time-integral value during walking. Besides, a one-leg standing test was performed to measure postural instability according to the height of the foot arch.
Results. The FFFG showed a significantly higher contact area than that of the NFAG. Also, there was a significant increase in contact area ratio in FFFG (p < 0.05). The vertical force peak results revealed no significant differences between the two groups. However, for contact time and total GRF time-integral values, the FFFG values were higher than those for the NFAG (p < 0.05). The FFFG had significantly greater COP, velocity, COP path length, and area values than those of the NFAG (p < 0.05).
Conclusion. These results show that the flexible flat foot may reduce energy efficiency and increase instability during the dynamic performance and has a high risk of causing secondary problems.

Background. Middle-aged women are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders because of the decreased muscle mass and bone density caused by a decreased endocrine function.
Objectives. This study investigated the effectiveness of a stabilization exercise using respiratory resistance on female patients in their 40s with low back pain.
Methods. Forty-four female patients in their 40s with low back pain were assigned randomly to an experimental (n=22) or control group (n=22). The experimental group performed lumbar stabilization exercises along with respiratory resistance, and the control group only performed lumbar stabilization exercises, both groups for 60 min per session, three sessions a week, for four weeks. The numeric rating scale (NRS), Korean-Oswestry disability index (K-ODI), Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), static balance ability, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured before and after the intervention program.
Results. Both groups showed significant differences in the NRS, K-ODI, FABQ, center of pressure (CoP) velocity, MIP, and MEP before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). In the length and area of CoP, only the experimental group showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). In the experimental group, the K-ODI, FABQ, balance ability, MIP, and MEP showed significantly better improvement than the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion. A lumbar stabilization exercise program using respiratory resistance is an effective method with increased motor function, psychosocial stability, significant improvement in balance, and respiratory pressure in women in their 40s with low back pain.

Background. Esport has become widely popular day by day, especially in Thailand. Promoting Esport by both government section and private section is the key success to drive forward the Esport in Thailand.
Objectives. The purpose of this research was to study the expectation and the satisfaction of the stakeholders towards the promotion of the Esport industry and to study the trend and the direction of promoting the Esport industry in Thailand.
Methods. This study utilized mixed-method research. The quantitative phase was characterized by an initial quantitative phase of data collection by the questionnaire with 1000 participants by selecting through probability sample by Multi-Stage sampling method and analyzed with the descriptive statistic. In the qualitative phase with the in-depth interview research method, 14 informant’s participants who were working in the Esport industry were recruited using purposive sampling participated in semi-structured interviews.
Results. The result of the quantitative phase showed that the expectation and the satisfaction were high correlation which can be described as the expectation (r = 0.755 – 0.852), and the satisfaction (r = 0.800 – 0.870). The result from the Paired Samples t-test found that there was a statistically significant difference at 0.05.
Conclusion. The qualitative data shows the trend and the direction of promoting the Esport industry in Thailand which described supporting the Esport industry in Thailand by analyzing the 5M theory which is the successful management means making optimal and responsible use of man, money, material, marketing, and moral for the advancement of mankind as the base theory in this research, can be concluded that the effective promoting method would be concrete, and would be massively benefited for Esport industry in Thailand if both public and private section elaborate from the beginning process to the end process by considering of the benefit of the country industry come first.

Background. Band exercise can also reduce back pain by reducing unnecessary movement of the thoracic and cervical vertebrae adjacent to the lumbar spine. Looking at previous studies, activation of the deep lumbar muscles of the lumbar spine and restoration of mobility of the adjacent skeleton have a positive effect on pain relief.
Objectives. This study was to investigate the effects of self-fascial relaxation, stretching, and spinal mobility exercises using foam rollers and elastic bands on elderly women's back pain, pain disability index, and spinal joint mobility.
Methods. This study was performed on elderly women (65-75years) who had no surgical experience within one year, had more than one clinical result due to back pain, and maintained pain for more than 6 months. The subjects who participated in the study were divided into groups, group exercising with foam rollers and elastic bands, group B exercising without foam rollers and elastic bands, and a control. To see the effects of pain-related exercise, we assessed the subjects with the visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), spinal flexion, and the range of spinal left and right joint rotation movement.
Results. the decrease in VAS (F = 9.976, p = .001,η² = .487) and ODI(F = 4.978, p = .017,η² = .322) was observed in all groups participating in the experiment, and the value of experimental group A using foam roller and elastic band decreased the most. As can be seen from the results of Experimental Group A, where the bending and stiffness of the spine were statistically significantly increased.
Conclusion. According to the significant result of A, the use of elastic bands and foam rollers is considered to be effective in improving chronic back pain and mobility of the spine.

Background. World Health Organization pointed out in 2019 that insufficient physical activity has become the fourth major risk factor affecting global mortality.
Objectives. This research explores the influence of multi-media teaching intervention in the physical education curriculum on college students’ sports attitudes and behavior.
Methods. The subjects of weight training and Yogalates courses (94 people in weight training class 2 and 94 people in Yogalates class 2) were divided into experimental and control groups. Both groups were taught in person for 18 weeks. The experimental group participated in multi-media audio-visual teaching for 6 weeks, once a week, for 30 minutes. The control group did not implement multi-media audio-visual teaching. Before and after the teaching experiment, 188 questionnaires were issued with the sports attitude and sports behavior scales, and 184 (97.8%) were effectively returned in the pre-test; 180 (95.7%) were effectively returned in the post-test. After the questionnaire was collected, it was analyzed by descriptive statistics, cross-analysis, and an independent sample t-test.
Results. The study found that after multi-media teaching is involved in physical education courses, students’ sports attitudes and behaviors are significantly higher than in traditional teaching, and the number of students participating in sports after class has increased significantly.
Conclusion. Multi-media teaching intervention in physical education courses can effectively improve students’ attitudes towards sports, change their actual participation in sports, and enable students to develop the habit of continuing to participate in sports after class.

Background. This study aimed to measure the alignment level, bone density, and body composition of the human body using DEXA and formetric 4D before and after applying the taping treatment and corrective exercise program for 8 weeks and to analyze the difference.
Methods. This study was conducted in three different groups: those who applied exercise and taping (TCEG), those who only applied exercise (CEG), and the control group, who applied neither (CG). The correct exercise program for this study was constructed by referring to corrective exercise for dysfunction of the lumbopelvic-hip complex. After conducting overhead squat motion evaluation for the study participants, two upper and lower body programs were created and applied alternately, considering the compensation action.
Results. As for the post-mortem results of TECG, the change in the torso slope and the average value were the highest, and the left and right results were significant in the torso imbalance. As a result of measuring pelvic tilt and torsion, the most corrected value in TECG was confirmed.
Conclusion. We think it is necessary to correct the body shape through corrective exercise. Although various studies on corrective exercise have been conducted, they do not provide a clear standard, and body imbalance is related to several factors, so it is necessary to conduct research at a more systemic level. Various factors must be considered, such as attempts to correct the alignment of the spine and pelvis and the differences in body composition. A complex and diverse follow-up study of corrective exercise programs and body imbalance will be needed in the future.

Background. Training in any sport aims to maximize athletes’ physical capacity.
Objectives. This study aimed to determine the effects of two training programs, functional training, and weight training, on the physical capacity of university baseball players.
Methods. The participants included 10 university baseball players, divided into the functional training group (FTG, n=5) and the weight training group (WTG, n=5). The training was performed for 1 hour per session, three sessions per week, for 6 weeks. The dependent variables related to the two groups’ physical fitness, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, were measured before training and 6 weeks after training.
Results. The FTG showed significant improvements in right-hand grip strength and plank, and the WTG showed significant improvements in right-hand grip strength, left-hand grip strength, and plank. The FTG showed a significant improvement in side-step, and the WTG showed significant improvements in sit-up and side-step. For anaerobic capacity, the FTG showed significant improvements in pitching and batting speeds, and the WTG showed a significant improvement in batting speed.
Conclusion. Both training programs led to significant improvements in the physical factors associated with increased athletic performance in baseball players, and the two programs’ effects were complementary. Thus, training programs targeting specific areas that require improvement will increase baseball players’ performance.

Background. Although the educational program for teaching basketball shooting has been discussed, the mental visualization of teaching shooting skills for beginners has not been discussed yet.
Objectives. The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of mental visualization in teaching some types of basketball shooting skills.
Methods. The experimental method was chosen for its suitability for the nature of the research problem. The sample consisted of thirty (12-13-year-old) beginner players divided into two groups: experimental and control. The educational curriculum consists of twelve educational units distributed over six weeks.
Results. The results showed a positive effect of the educational program in teaching some types of shooting but there were statistically significant differences between the two groups under study and in favor of the experimental group.
Conclusion. The need to use mental visualization during educational units, which has an effective impact in teaching some types of shooting in basketball, as well as conducting research and studies similar to the current study on the skills and other games, and circulating the findings to the relevant union, as well as training courses and workshops for trainers in the basketball game on mental visualization and its effect on sports training.

Background. Although research papers discuss the domain of sports psychology are plenty, this paper addresses the effect of the absence of a psychologist during sports training on basketball players’ performance.
Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the absence of a psychologist during sports training on basketball players in the Jerusalem Governorate. Given the importance and nature of this study, the researchers used the descriptive approach in the survey method. Basketball players who were officially affiliated with sports clubs in Palestine for the 2018/2019 sports season constitute the research community.
Methods. The participants consisted of 41 players. The study revealed that the absence of a psychologist affects the players before, during, and after training and competition.
Results. It also showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the players’ attitudes towards the impact of the absence of a psychologist during sports training on basketball club players in the Jerusalem governorate due to the club degree variable. The findings showed that there were statistically significant differences in the players’ attitudes towards the impact of the absence of the psychologist in favor of the club’s category.
Conclusion. The researcher also concluded that need of working to provide a sports psychologist in sports clubs to support players before and during the sports training process and after sports competitions, and the necessity of holding workshops and training courses for workers in the sports field.

Background. Musculoskeletal training and stretching aim to maximize vocalists’ physical capacity.
Objectives. This study aimed to determine the effects of core training and stretching, on the physical capacity of vocalists.
Methods. The participants included 14 vocalists, divided into the core training group and the control group. The training was performed for 75 minutes per session for 8 weeks. The maximum phonation time was measured before and after the experiment to prove the effectiveness of this study.
Results. The exercise and stretching programs led to significant improvements in the physical factors associated with the increase in maximum phonation time.
Conclusion. Training programs targeting specific areas that require improvement will increase singing ability.

Background. Sports match-fixing refers to the act of pre-determining the results of a game. Match-fixing fundamentally undermines competition in sports, and it harms society as a whole. Match-fixing has large as it is conducted as a secret transaction. Consequently, finding evidence regarding this illegal activity or detecting it is difficult. Therefore, a system should be built to detect match-fixing to prevent it.
Objectives. This study aims to detect betting anomalies in sports events through dividend graphs.
Methods. We collected the odds data for the K-League from 2010 to 2020 and converted the data into graph images to generate 3101 graph images. The collected data was analyzed using ResNet to classify them into normal games (2,464 games) and abnormal games (637 games) based on an image classification method. The ResNet model was trained for 100 epochs, and as a result, values below 0.05 were derived as the loss values of the training and test data, respectively.
Results. After performing the validation with the test data of 50 normal and 27 abnormal games, it was found that the accuracy in deriving normal games was 90%. Furthermore, match-fixing games were derived with an accuracy of 74.1%. Therefore, the model was accurate for 65 out of 77 games, showing that the model’s accuracy was 84.44%.
Conclusion. The results demonstrate the model’s value as a method for detecting sports match-fixing. Additionally, it can aid in eradicating sports match-fixing by providing the basic data for undertaking detailed match-fixing investigations.

Background. Futsal may have problems with the condition due to injuries due to the nature of the game requiring high-intensity performance and may harm injuries and normal athletic performance.
Objectives. This study aimed to measure the speed, agility, quickness, dynamic balance, active range of motion, and reaction time, which are factors affecting the performance of the self-myofascial release exercise program for 12 weeks before and after applying it to professional Futsal players.
Methods. This study was conducted in two groups: a group that applied general training and self-myofascial release exercise (EX) and a control group that applied only general training (CON). The self-myofascial release program in this study was constructed by referring to the National Academy of Sports Medicine policy using a foam roller. The exercise program was applied 3 times a week for 30 minutes for 12 weeks after general training.
Results. The functions of all variables in the exercise group improved, and the functions of all variables in the control group decreased. As a result of the EX test, dynamic stability was most significantly improved (t=-8.165, p=0.001), and the variable that showed a significant difference according to the interaction effect between groups was dynamic stability (F=10.238, p=0.006)., the joint range (F=4.900, p=0.042).
Conclusion. It can be seen that the effects on variables between groups differ sharply depending on whether or not self-myofascial release is performed.

Background. The heel-rise test is a measurement method that can evaluate the muscle endurance and muscle fatigue of the plantar flexor. On the other hand, there is a limit to quantifying the criteria because the evaluation method and criteria differ according to the measurement conditions.
Objectives. The purpose of this study is to compare the validity and reliability of the smartphone-based measurement application compared to the standardized surface electromyography (sEMG) for measuring muscle fatigue during the heel-rise test.
Methods. Fifty-seven adults in their 20s participated in the heel-rise test twice a week apart. The concurrent validity for muscle fatigue during the heel-rise test was measured using surface sEMG and 'Calf raise' application, and analyzed through correlation analysis. The intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability of the ‘Calf raise’ application were analyzed using ICC.
Results. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the 'Calf raise' application and sEMG showed a statistically significant correlation of r=0.509 for both loss (%) and slope value (p<0.01). The ‘Calf raise’ application showed high intra-rater reliability for loss (%) and slope value with ICC (2,1) = 0.986 and 0.987 respectively. It also showed high inter-rater reliability for loss (%) and slope value with ICC (2,1) =0.946 and 0.926.
Conclusion. The smartphone-based 'Calf rise' application can be usefully used in clinical practice as an evaluation tool capable of not only quantitative evaluation of counting the number of heel-rise tests but also qualitative evaluation of muscle fatigue.

Background. The recent pandemic caused by COVID-19 is showing high awareness and social interest in respiratory diseases. The unexpected decline in pulmonary function significantly affects the deterioration of functional activities of daily living and quality of life.
Objectives. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in pulmonary function and respiratory muscle according to diaphragm breathing exercise methods.
Methods. The study consists of 33 healthy young adults in a cross-sectional design used. All three breathing methods were performed at intervals of at least 2 days. The order of intervention was randomly assigned (crocodile breathing, DNS breathing, abdominal breathing using an inspirometer). Pulmonary function (Forced Vital Capacity, Forced Expiratory Volume in one second, Forced Expiratory Volume at 1sec/ Forced Vital Capacity, Peak Expiratory Flow, Maximal Voluntary Ventilation) and respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP) were evaluated, using Micro Quark (Cosmed) and Micro RPM (Carefusion).
Results. In the result of the pulmonary function test, there was no difference in FVC, FEV1, and FEV1% among the three respiratory exercises (p<0.05). However, in PEF and MVV, there were significant differences. In the result of the respiratory muscle strength test (MIP, MEP) with Mircro RPM, there were significant differences between the Incentive spirometer group and the crocodile group (p<0.05).
Conclusion. Crocodile breathing can improve pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength better than the group using Spirometers. Therefore, crocodile breathing helps strengthen the respiratory muscles of normal adults and improves pulmonary function.

Background. Modern office workers are exposed to cardiovascular and metabolic disorders and musculoskeletal disorders due to a long-term sedentary working environment, so it is important to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. As a preventive method for musculoskeletal pain in office workers, flexibility exercise, core exercise, and compound exercise programs can reduce body composition, functional movement, and pain, and effectively improve reduced physical ability and lack of physical activity.
Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12-week exercise for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers on body composition, FMS, and SF-MPQ pain scores.
Methods. The subjects of the study divided 30 office workers into flexibility exercise groups (n=10), core exercise group (n=10), and compound exercise group (n=10) and proceeded for 12 weeks. The flexibility exercise group consisted of self-myofascial release using a foam roller, static stretching, and dynamic stretching. The core exercise group was a core exercise program to improve the stability and movement of the torso and strengthen the torso, improving balance. It consisted of an accompanying core stabilization exercise.
Results. The results of this study are as follows; 1) Body weight, body fat mass, body mass index, and body fat percentage were reduced in core exercise and compound exercise. 2) The amount of skeletal muscle increased in core exercise. 3) FMS scores increased in flexibility exercise, core exercise, and compound exercise, but the score increased in the order of compound exercise>core exercise>flexibility exercise.
Conclusion. Summarizing the body composition results of the office workers who participated in this study, there were significant differences in body weight, body fat mass, body mass index, and body fat percentage according to the degree of exercise in the core exercise group and the combined exercise group. FMS, SF-MPQ score, and VAS results showed improvement in all three groups, and among them, the combined exercise group had the best score. The complex application of flexibility exercises that promote muscle contraction and relaxation and core exercises consisting of major muscle groups is thought to help reduce body fat and pain in office workers.

Background. Athletes' poor understanding of sports nutrition could place their health in danger, degrade their performance, and have an impact on their lean body mass and energy levels.
Objective. The research study aims to study the perception of Thai national youth athletes regarding nutrition understanding and the relation between endurance, power, and mixed sports and believing in the food selection before, during, and after the competition.
Methods. The quantitative research was used with 216 respondents divided into three categories (Endurance Sport, Power Sport, and Mix Sport) which consisted of the Thai national youth athletes for each category in Thailand, and analyzed by the descriptive statistics, and the chi-square test by using SPSS.
Results. The result of the chi-square test between the athlete samples of endurance, power, and the mixed sport and believing in the food selection before the competition found that by having the correlation efficiency (Chi-Square: c2) = 1241.381, DF=32, and the p-value were 0.01. During the competition found that the food selection was related to the sports categories by having the correlation efficiency (Chi-Square: c2) = 485.438, DF=26, and the p-value was 0.01, and after the competition found that the food selection was related to the sports categories by having the correlation efficiency (Chi-Square: c2) = 718.997, DF=30, and the p-value were 0.01.
Conclusion. The result of this research may be applied as important information for developing an effective guideline for Thai national youth athletes in the future.

Background. Different factors are essential for taekwondo athletes to win competitions. The physiological, technical, tactical, and strength demands of Taekwondo have been investigated, and several studies have been conducted to train them effectively.
Objectives. The purpose of this study is to categorize the methods for practical taekwondo training according to physiological, technical, strength, and tactical aspects so that taekwondo players can train effectively using the characteristics required during taekwondo training.
Methods. The studies between 2000 and 2024 were selected, and 283 papers were collected and referred to in this study. Keywords were "Taekwondo performance," "Taekwondo athletes," and "Taekwondo training."
Results. Taekwondo requires the aerobic system as an essential component. It should be used for practical training to be more effective in training those who require cardiorespiratory endurance training. The flexibility of the hip and knee joints is also an essential factor in winning a game. To perform taekwondo kicks for a more extended period and in a quicker motion, muscular endurance is essential, and training muscular endurance of hamstrings and quadriceps falls under an effective method.
Conclusion. It is vital to perform aerobic training with intermittent training and minimize rest periods for practical training. Static stretches and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretches are effective for hip and knee flexibility, and visual training with red and blue lights is recommended for tactical components. It is essential to work on the muscular endurance of the hamstrings and quadriceps to extend the duration of the kick.