EARLY ACCESS

Background and Study Aim. Physical fitness and psychological well-being of student-athletes had decreased significantly and became the main problem in this study. This study aims to investigate the effect of virtual reality-based Tabata training to increase the level of physical fitness and psychological well-being through a mixed method. Material and Methods. This study used a mixed method. The participants involved in this study were stu-dent-athletes (n=40) at Singaperbangsa Karawang University (Indonesia). Quantitative instruments used to measure physical fitness include 20 m shuttle run, 30 m sprint run, horizontal jump and leg dyna-mometer. While the qualitative instrument used to measure student-athlete perceptions through in-depth interviews for 30 minutes. Quantitative statistical analysis through IBM SPSS was used to find the mean and standard deviation. Independent samples t-test was used to test the difference in values be-tween the experimental and control groups before and after the experiment. Meanwhile, the Paired sam-ples t-test was used to investigate the effect of this training, both in the experimental and control groups. Qualitative statistical analysis was carried out qualitatively thematically, namely the results of in-depth interviews were coded and categorized into three themes. Results. There were several findings in quantitative research. First, there was no difference in physical fit-ness or psychological well-being between the experimental and control groups before the experiment (p>0.05). Second, there were differences in the values of physical fitness and psychological well-being be-tween the experimental and control groups after the experimental program (p<0.05). Third, there was a significant effect in the experimental group on the level of physical fitness and psychological well-being (p<0.05) and the control group also showed an effect on changes in physical fitness and psychological well-being but smaller than the experimental group (p<0.05). In Qualitative research, student-athletes provided positive perceptions about virtual reality-based Tabata training which was easy, efficient and effective, fun and encouraged them to be more active. Negative perceptions were not all student-athletes and universities were equipped with virtual reality facilities. It must carried out in a location or place that was completely safe or far from vehicles. Conclusions. Our mixed study confirms that virtual reality-based Tabata training had positive effect to change the level of physical fitness and psychological well-being among student-athletes.

Background and Study Aim. This paper aims to compare the effects of two types of resistance training pro-grams (suspension training and free weight training) on the explosive power, dynamic balance, and discus throwers performance. Material and Methods. Twenty-four male discus throwers (with an average age: 19.17 ± 0.99 years; body mass: 99.87 ± 3.63 kg; height: 177.23 ± 3.16 cm) were assigned into three groups (eight subjects in each group); suspension training (STG), free weight training (FWTG) and control (CG). For eight weeks, subjects underwent training consisting of three sessions a week. Prior to and after the training period, explosive power, dynamic balance, and discus throwing distance variables were measured. The explosive power was measured using the medicine ball throw (SLJT) and standing long jump (MBTT) tests. The dynamic bal-ance was measured using the Y excursion balance test (YBT). The discus throwing distance was measured according to the IAAF rules (DTT). Results. The results showed that both experimental groups had a significant effect on MBTT, SLJT, and DTT compared to the control group. There was a significant difference in YBT favoring STG when com-pared to the FWTG and CG, and also, favoring FWTG when compared to CG in the three directions (ante-rior, posterolateral, and posteromedial). All three groups improved the tests from pre- to post-test. Conclusions. We can conclude that suspension training and free weight training have created almost the same improvements in explosive power. Also, suspension training was more effective than free weight training for improving dynamic balance.

Background and study aim. Group fitness programs are a form of programmed physical exercises with the aim of improving health, aesthetic appearance, satisfying the motivation to preserve health and reduce body weight. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an experimental cardio fitness program on the morphological status of female subjects aged 21.5 ± 3.5 years. Material and methods. The experimental program was implemented over a period of three months (12 weeks), with a weekly frequency (3 x 20-60 min). Initial and final measurements were performed and Body weight, Body fat percentage, Body fat mass, Free fat mass, Body muscle mass, Body mass index and Basal metabolism rate were analyzed. All test subjects have their doctor's confirmation that they are healthy and can undergo training loads in a planned and clearly defined cardio program. Results. The exercise program on cardio equipment caused changes in all body composition parameters between the initial and final measurements t-test (except for muscle mass). The total average Body weight at the initial-final measurement (66.45 vs. 64.70kg; t= 5.225, p<0.000), which represents a difference of -1.75kg after the program. Conclusions. The assumption is that a controlled and monitored program with a special focus on nutrition would lead to even more precise results on the effects on body composition. Continuous application of the content of this program throughout the entire one-year macrocycle with a higher weekly frequency would certainly give even more significant results.

Background and Study Aim. The purpose of this study was to find the effect of the game based on educational method and technical approach on the performance of legs attacks in free-style wrestling. Material and Methods. The type of research was semi-experimental. Participants included 20 boys’ students who were divided into two groups based on the game-based approach (10) and technical training (10). The teaching unit was a format of 12 lessons over 4 weeks (2 days per week). Each lesson lasted 60 minutes. At the end of each training session, the participants played benchmark bouts, one on one, for 2 x 6 minutes. The data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software at a significance level of 0.05. Results. The results showed that both the game-based and technical approach groups had a significant improvement in successful leg attacks in free-style wrestling. With regard to the preparation of leg attacks, there was no improvement for the technical approach group. However, the game-based group had a significant improvement in the total number of attacks compared to the technical group. Conclusions. The results suggest that the use of a game-based educational method can significantly increase the important factors of wrestling performance related to leg attacks in young wrestlers. Teachers can connect actions from other technical movements from the same family of leg attacks.

Background and Study Aim. Established studies show that athletes with longer fingers and broader hand surfaces have more muscular grips. Therefore, some research studies have examined various contributing factors and anthropometric characteristics. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hand dimensions and selected anthropometric characteristics on handgrip strength in recreational tenpin bowlers. Material and Methods. This cross-sectional study recruited 32 (12 females, 20 males) healthy Malaysian recreational tenpin bowlers from Kuala Lumpur. Their anthropometric characteristics including height, weight, body mass index (BMI), the dimensions of the right hand, and age were measured accordingly. Handgrip strength was assessed using a Takei 5401 Grip D (Digital Grip Dynamometer) with 3 trials for both hands. A Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used to study the relationship between the parameters. Results. The body height and the minimum breadth of the right hand had a significant impact on handgrip strength among recreational tenpin bowlers. There was a significant difference between males and females in left and right handgrip strength (p<0.05). Males showed a greater handgrip strength compared to females in both hands’ strength. Body height (p = 0.00) and the minimum breadth of the hand (p = 0.03) were found to be significantly correlated with the handgrip strength thus indicating the two variables as strong predictors of handgrip strength. Conclusions. This study confirms that there is a relationship between anthropometric characteristics and handgrip strength in Malaysian recreational tenpin bowlers. Hence, it will be a great note for new bowlers to advance their bowling performance.